In the United States, the Association of University Presses (AUPresses) has launched a GoFundMe initiative to raise money to support Ukrainian publishers. This is reported on the AUPresses website.
The first US$6,000 raised is promised to be allocated to enable three Ukrainian publishers to take part in the International Congress of University Presses as part of the Frankfurt Book Fair, which will run from 7 to 11 October.
The meeting will take place for the first time after a seven-year break on 9 October. It aims to foster international dialogue, build connections and exchange views on the future of university publishing.
“As a global community of publishers committed to advancing knowledge, the Association of University Presses is outraged by the targeted Russian bombing of Ukrainian warehouses, printing houses and publishing companies in several regions, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy and Kherson, during July and August,” AUPresses said.
Funds raised beyond this amount are planned to be transferred to the Ukrainian Book Institute, which “continues to develop the country’s book sector, promote reading and make Ukrainian literature more accessible in Ukraine and more visible worldwide”.
As of 17 September 2026, US$3,467 has been raised.
On the shelling in summer 2026:
- during July, Russia, attacking warehouses and printing houses where copies were stored, destroyed more than 1.5 million books;
- on 1 August, Russian forces hit the logistics centre of RNK-Ranok and the KnyhoLend distribution centre in Kharkiv, destroying more than 8 million books;
- overall, recent Russian strikes destroyed 12 million books in Ukraine, and more than 35 publishing facilities were attacked;
- among the affected publishers were Knyholav, Nash Format, BookChef, Ranok, Zhorzh, Fabula, Shche Odu Storinku, Vivat, A-BA-BA-HA-LA-MA-HA and others.
About AUPresses:
- a non-profit organisation founded in 1937;
- a member of the International Publishers Association and the American Council of Learned Societies;
- it aims to promote the role of a global community of publishers whose mission is to ensure academic excellence and cultivate knowledge.