KYIV - A Ukrainian publisher said Friday that more than 2,000 donated Japanese picture books translated into Ukrainian were among about 8 million books destroyed after its warehouse in eastern Ukraine was struck by Russia last weekend.
"My First Mountain" (Hajimete no Yamanobori), a recollection by Japan's former Empress Michiko of her first mountain climb with her family, was among the translated titles that had been printed with donations from Japanese companies, Ranok PublishingHouse told Kyodo News.
Following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Japanese publisher Shiko-sha and the nonprofit organization Ukraine House Japan led a project to donate 5,000 copies of five titles to local schools and hospitals, with cooperation from the Japanese and Ukrainian governments.
A Ranok official said the company will decide whether to do additional printing after confirming the losses. More than half of the 5,000 copies planned for free distribution had already been handed out or were safe in another warehouse that was not attacked.
Ranok said a fire broke out after two Russian kamikaze drones hit its warehouse in Kharkiv on Saturday, burning an area of more than 10,000 square meters. About 8 million books in total, including the five picture book titles as well as other children's books and textbooks, were destroyed.
Russian attacks on Ukraine's publishing and printing facilities have continued to mount. According to a tally by Ukrainian media, at least 35 publishing houses across the country have suffered damage since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
"We cannot let Russia decide what kinds of books Ukrainians read," the Ranok official said, adding the company would continue its publishing activities.
