In response to ongoing airstrikes and drone attacks amid the protracted conflict in Ukraine, dozens of fully underground schools have been established across the country to provide a safer learning environment for children. These subterranean classrooms, often disguised as playgrounds or sports fields, are designed to shield students from aerial bombardment and enable continued education amid the dangers above ground.
As of early March, Ukraine has 74 such underground schools, a significant development reflecting the extended duration and intensification of the conflict, particularly in frontline areas. One city at the forefront of this effort is Zaporizhzhia, a steel industry hub located less than 10 miles from the active frontline, which has experienced frequent Russian attacks over the years. With European funding, Zaporizhzhia has constructed 10 underground schools within the city and 22 throughout the surrounding region.
The underground facilities typically feature classrooms built beneath reinforced concrete and soil cover, with advanced ventilation systems that include filtration capabilities against radiation, along with backup power generators. Students spend much of their day below ground and are only occasionally allowed outside during periods cleared by air raid alerts. While some aspects of the subterranean environment can be challenging for students, many express appreciation for the safety the schools provide compared to above-ground instruction.
Parents and local officials emphasize the importance of these educational spaces in maintaining a sense of normalcy and security. Oleksandr Lagin, a grocery store manager whose sons attend underground schools, noted that attending classes safely “without going underground” is no longer possible. Similarly, Dmytro Sizhykh, whose son studies in the Zaporizhzhia underground school while he serves on the front lines, said the arrangement allows him to focus on his military duties without worrying about his child’s safety.
Despite these adaptations, the ongoing conflict continues to disrupt education across Ukraine. Nationwide, of the nearly 12,000 schools, around 2,000 operate exclusively online, and many others rely on a blend of in-person and remote instruction. Frequent air raid alerts, such as those experienced in Kyiv, sometimes lasting several hours a day, interrupt regular schooling and prevent outdoor activities. During alerts, students often take shelter in basements, which, while offering protection, are overcrowded and not conducive to learning.
Education experts note that the war’s psychological impact on students is contributing to declining academic performance. According to Tetiana Zheribokbina, an analyst with a Kyiv-based research organization, scores on standardized tests have fallen steadily during the war, correlating with increased anxiety among children.
Ukrainian law mandates that schools maintain accessible bomb shelters to continue in-person instruction safely, though many shelters consist only of basements ill-suited for classroom use. Authorities in Kyiv are considering creating classroom spaces within these basements for younger students and allowing school administrators to determine when instruction can safely proceed during alerts.
Beyond Zaporizhzhia, underground learning environments have been adapted in various facilities including former movie theaters, hospitals, daycare centers, and critical infrastructure sites, illustrating a nationwide commitment to sustaining education despite war conditions.
School leaders also emphasize the importance of fostering resilience and patriotism in students. Halyna Volkova, principal of a Zaporizhzhia underground school, said that while academic achievement remains a goal, overall development and a sense of national pride are especially critical during wartime. Reflecting on past successes, she highlighted a student who achieved a perfect score on a nationwide graduation test during the war.
As the drone attacks and aerial bombardment persist, underground schools represent a pragmatic response to the threats facing Ukrainian children, ensuring that education not only continues but does so in a manner prioritizing safety. Educators in these subterranean settings express cautious optimism, viewing these adaptations not as signs of apocalyptic loss but as resilient measures amid the country’s ongoing conflict.