A lack of provision under Ukrainian law means officials and activists are struggling to make their case in court.
Before Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Chernihiv Youth Library held exhibitions, organised cultural events and loaned out around 200,000 books to readers annually.
“Every year, the library served more than 10,000 readers,” said acting director Maryna Knyr, noting that despite its name, users included young people and pensioners alike. But when, on March 11, 2022, the Russian army dropped several 500-kilogramme aerial bombs on the city’s neighbouring stadium, the Chernihiv Youth Library was heavily damaged, with 7,000 books and office equipment also destroyed.
