Russia Hits KSD Warehouse on Ukraine's Language Day
By @sharedot · · 6 pages
- Books
- Ukrainian Publishing
- Ksd
- Kharkiv
Russia struck publisher KSD's Kharkiv warehouse on the Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language, delaying its November book releases, the publisher says.
A strike timed to a literary holiday
The Ukrainian publishing house and bookstore chain KSD announced on Oct. 27 that a Russian strike had hit its warehouse in Kharkiv, as reported by The Kyiv Independent and Yahoo.
The announcement landed on the Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language, a national holiday celebrating the Ukrainian language and the country's literary heritage. "Fortune was not on our side today," KSD wrote.
Planned book releases scheduled to begin in November have been delayed as a result.
Why book readers are talking about it
What makes the news so jarring for devoted readers is the timing: the publisher's stock was damaged on the very day Ukraine honors its writing and language.
The Kyiv Independent reports that KSD has not yet assessed the full extent of the damage to its warehouse stock, but has shared that no employees were injured.
The disruption is the latest blow to a book industry that has endured repeated Russian strikes on printing facilities and warehouses since the start of the full-scale war — with Russian strikes destroying more than 13 million books over the past summer alone.
How readers can support KSD
KSD has urged people who want to show their support to buy books in its stores or order them online from the publisher's website, a trend that has grown since Russian attacks on the book industry intensified, The Kyiv Independent reports.
"Every book purchased, every order placed, and every choice you make is a significant contribution to our shared endeavor — and it enables us to continue creating, publishing, and sharing with you stories that inspire and stay in your heart," KSD wrote, per both outlets.
Sector-wide stakes and what comes next
Beyond KSD's delayed November releases, the strike underscores the financial pressure on Ukraine's publishing sector. The Culture Ministry announced a $500,000 fundraising initiative on Sept.
21 for grants to aid independent Ukrainian publishers struggling with massive losses after the summer's destruction of 13 million books, The Kyiv Independent reported. Whether KSD can salvage its stock and stick to a revised release schedule remains to be seen as the damage assessment continues.