Russia 'defeated' literature: What Kyiv's book market looks like after Russian strike
Photo: Pochaina book market burned down after a Russian missile attack (RBC-Ukraine)
During Russia's missile attack on Kyiv on August 16, Russian forces struck the Pochaina book market. Emergency responders are still working to extinguish fires following the strikes.
RBC-Ukraine visited the scene and documented the aftermath of yet another Russian missile attack on Kyiv.
As seen in photos and video, the market was still smoldering after the overnight attack. Emergency crews were still working at the site.
Part of the market was completely destroyed by fire, while another section was damaged. Business owners whose shops were in the damaged area plan to resume operations.
One of the affected business owners had been working at the market for three years. His store was damaged, but it is still difficult to assess the losses.
"All the shutters were torn out, the shelves fell over, some of the books were damaged, and there was a lot of broken stuff," he said.
Russian strike destroys Kyiv's Pochaina book market: photos and video pic.twitter.com/Mp804xIoIV
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) August 16, 2026
Russian strike destroys Kyiv's Pochaina book market: photos and video pic.twitter.com/YX8ovlwO02
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) August 16, 2026
Pochaina book market in Kyiv goes up in flames after Russian attack pic.twitter.com/SmIGuYRSw6
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) August 16, 2026
Pavlo Petrov, a spokesperson for the Kyiv Emergency Service, said it was extremely difficult for rescuers to extinguish the fire at Pochaina.
According to him, the situation was complicated by the large amount of flammable materials at the market. Several air raid alerts were also issued during firefighting operations, forcing the crews to move to a safe distance.
“Very difficult for rescuers”: Kyiv emergency service spokesperson on the fire at Pochaina pic.twitter.com/ulxJLFRlts
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) August 16, 2026
In addition to the book market, firefighters worked at two other locations in Kyiv's Obolonskyi district and one location in the Holosiivskyi district. Those fires were extinguished during the night.
As previously reported, Russian forces attacked Kyiv with ballistic missiles overnight on August 16. Three people were injured, while fires and damage were reported in the Obolonskyi and Holosiivskyi districts.
