Over 44% of Ukrainian school textbooks destroyed by Russia have been reprinted

What Happened

More than 44% of school textbooks destroyed by Russian attacks have been reprinted as of mid-September, but publishers are currently reprinting at their own expense. Ukrainian Education and Science Minister Andrii Butenko told the parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Innovation that Russian attacks on publishers' warehouses in summer 2026 destroyed several batches of school textbooks. Of the first batch due for delivery by 1 September, 88.6% had been delivered as of 16 September, around 10% were lost in the attacks, and 3% were delayed by logistical problems. Only 7% of the second batch had been delivered. Almost 1.2 million school textbooks were destroyed in total, with fourth- and ninth-grade materials worst affected. Butenko said the ministry cannot pay for the destroyed books a second time from the state budget due to legislative safeguards against duplicate payments, and is working with international counterparts to compensate publishers.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The destruction of school textbooks represents a direct hit on Ukraine's education infrastructure during the invasion, disrupting learning for primary and secondary students, especially those in fourth and ninth grades. The significant gap between the US$300,000 UNICEF compensation and the UAH 150 million loss cited by Serhii Babak highlights the financial strain on Ukrainian publishers and the state budget's constraints, forcing reliance on international donors. Failure to restore textbooks could have long-term effects on education continuity in war-affected areas.

Watch For

Monitor whether the remaining 3% of first-batch textbooks delayed by logistics are delivered, and whether the second batch reaches schools after only 7% delivery as of 16 September. Watch for finalisation of the UNICEF compensation payment and the outcome of ongoing negotiations with the World Bank, announced by Yevhen Bazhenkov. Also track whether publishers sustain reprinting of all main print runs without additional state funding, and whether further Russian strikes target printing or logistics infrastructure.