Ukrainian schoolchildren marked the beginning of the country’s fifth wartime academic year on September 1 amid growing threats to the civilian population as Russia escalates the bombardment of Ukrainian cities. In Kyiv, thousands of children returned to the classroom after the summer break following yet another night of Russian airstrikes that killed at least 12 people and injured dozens more.
Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukraine’s cities have intensified in recent weeks, with daytime attacks becoming far more frequent and civilian casualties climbing alarmingly. The Kremlin’s current strategy focuses on relentless air raids throughout the day, with the goal of disrupting every aspect of daily life including schooling. Due to heightened security concerns, many Ukrainian schools chose to begin the new academic year with whole classes studying remotely.
For years, educators and policymakers have worked to make Ukrainian schools as safe as possible and preserve some sense of normalcy for children. Forced underground for safety, more shelters have been built, schedules adjusted, and programs launched to address the challenges of teaching during wartime. But as Russian attacks intensify and daytime bombing increases, earlier measures are no longer enough. Just days into the new school year, Ukraine’s Education Ministry was already reviewing how schools should operate, with officials noting that the security situation had “changed fundamentally.”
