In response to ongoing Russian aerial bombardments, many schools across Ukraine have shifted to underground classrooms to provide safer learning environments for students. In the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, located less than 10 miles from the front lines, 10 such schools have been constructed with European funding, forming part of a network of 74 underground schools nationwide. These facilities, often built beneath playgrounds or sports fields, are designed to protect children from missile and drone attacks that have intensified throughout the more than four years of conflict.
On the first day of classes, students in Zaporizhzhia descended stairways into blue-painted concrete tunnels, where traditional ceremonies such as the “first bell” mark the start of the academic year. Despite the unusual setting, many children express relief and a sense of security being underground. Thirteen-year-old Damir Barabash, for example, who has attended the subterranean Sichovy Collegium for consecutive years, said he feels safe and enjoys his studies, although air raid alerts sometimes disrupt activities like soccer during physical education.
Parents and educators have generally welcomed the underground classrooms as a vital adaptation to the war. Oleksandr Lagin, a father with two children studying below ground, emphasized that a safe education now requires such measures. Similarly, Dmytro Sizhykh, whose son attends the same school, highlighted that underground schooling allows him to focus on his military duties without worrying about his child’s safety. The principal of the Sichovy Collegium, Halyna Volkova, underscored the importance of balancing academic learning with fostering pride, patriotism, and resilience in what she calls Ukraine’s “war generation.”
The underground facilities are equipped with amenities that help maintain a stable environment for learning, including advanced ventilation systems capable of filtering radiation and backup generators. Such infrastructure allows instruction to continue even during prolonged air alerts, a common occurrence in many parts of the country. In Kyiv, by contrast, where aerial drone strikes are frequent, schools often operate above ground and rely on basements for shelter during alarms, which limits the ability to teach during these interruptions. Authorities in the capital region have recommended avoiding large gatherings for opening ceremonies due to safety concerns.
The war’s impact on education extends beyond infrastructure. Nationwide, Ukraine has about 11,940 schools, with 2,000 operating exclusively online. Many combine in-person and remote instruction, including clandestine schooling in Russian-occupied areas. However, standardized test scores have declined since the conflict began, a trend analysts link to war-related anxiety and the disruption to normal learning routines.
Despite these challenges, some educators remain optimistic. Volkova pointed to a student from her school who recently achieved a perfect score on a national exam, reflecting the potential for academic success amid adversity. She emphasized that providing a secure environment, even underground, is fundamental to sustaining education during the ongoing drone war.
As the conflict persists, Ukraine’s subterranean schools represent a striking adaptation to wartime conditions, combining caution and continuity in a bid to preserve the education and well-being of its children.