Russia obliterates one of Europe’s largest printing houses in Kharkiv

During an attack on Kharkiv, the Russians destroyed one of the largest printing houses in Europe, the Factor Druk printing house. Workers were present at the time of the strike. Currently, it is known that at least 7 people were killed and 17 injured.

“This is one of the largest full-cycle printing complexes in Europe, so not only books from Vivat publishing house are printed there, but practically all Ukrainian publishers,” was posted on the bookstore’s Facebook page.

The printing house was destroyed, and 50,000 books were burned, reported Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “Yesterday’s strike by Russia on Kharkiv Oblast, which resulted in deaths and injuries, the destruction of the printing house, and the burning of 50,000 books, demonstrates that Russia is waging war against humanity and all aspects of normal life. Russian terror must be defeated. And for this, we need only one thing – the determination of world leaders,” Zelenskyy wrote.

Ukrainians are once again stunned by the cynicism of the aggressor country, Russia, says Nataliya Poshyvaylo-Towler, UWC Vice President, Oceania and Asia, Head Educator of WFUWO, writer, and Chair of the Malvy Literary Club Australia. “Our hearts are overwhelmed with shock and anger at the deliberate targeting and destruction of Factor Druk in Kharkiv, the loss of human life, and 50,000 books. Just yesterday, I watched a BBC episode about the surge in readership and interest in Ukrainian literature in Ukraine, a thirst for reading and understanding Ukrainian literature, history, and identity. A book fair was planned for next week, and books were being printed at the factory for the Book Arsenal event.

“This bombing was not accidental but a deliberate strike against the Ukrainian desire to be themselves, to read Ukrainian literature, to reclaim their names, and nurture new talents. It was an attack on current and future generations of readers and writers, on fairs and book festivals. The enemy is using bombs to force Ukrainians to read Russian, to prevent them from breaking free from the shadow of the ‘Great Russian culture’,” stated UWC Vice President.

Debris removal is actively underway. Kharkiv faces daily assaults from Russia, which launches drones, bombs, and missiles from its territory. These attacks indiscriminately target the city, resulting in civilian casualties and extensive damage to infrastructure.

Ukraine’s Air Force spokesperson Illia Yevlash stated that the missiles Russia employs to attack the city, specifically the S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems, are challenging to intercept due to their proximity to the Russian border and the complexity of these air targets.

“Therefore, the best solution would be – though unfortunately it’s impossible – to move Kharkiv territorially away from the border. The only effective method here is to destroy the launchers themselves and deter them from the front: move them back, increase the distance,” says Yevlash.

Earlier, Marta Farion, UWC Vice President for North America and Vice President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), stated that the Pentagon’s restrictions on strikes on Russian territory, set for Ukraine since the beginning of the supply of American weapons, are completely unjustified and have knowingly disadvantaged the Ukrainian side.