The classic children's books that Putin could not destroy

There it is, on a wintry morning: charred masonry, gnarled metal, glass shards, rubble and dust.

- Ed Vulliamy KHERSON

Yet another ravaged building in Ukraine: this violation is against Kherson's regional library for children, at place of effervescent creativity with a wonderful collection, named Dnipro Seagull Library, after the birds that soar over the city's river.

Atop the stairs, there was a beautiful stained-glass panel featuring a seagull on the wing. The library was due to celebrate its centenary next year.

The seagull glass is now shattered, after the hit by two Russian artillery shells late last month.

Library director Olha Kryzhanivska's greeting is weary but fired with a will to reclaim this haven and save its collection. "It seems we should be used to it," she sighed. "The city is under attack every day. We have already repaired the windows after another shrapnel hit.

"Decades of our lives are connected with this institution, and when every corner is dear to you, it really, really hurts. One good thing was that the attack didn't harm anyone, because it occurred in early morning.