Ukraine’s Fifth School Year Begins in Bunkers as Russian Strikes Intensify

Key points

• The New York Times reports that 74 schools in Ukraine now operate wholly underground, with classrooms sunk below ground to provide safety from Russian aerial bombardment.
• CNN states that in Kyiv, schools like the Ukrainian Global School have moved classes to basements to avoid the disruption of 60 air raid alerts in a 47-hour period, framing the move as a necessary adaptation.
• The Washington Post notes that 2,211 schools operate in a blended format and 1,306 remotely, as 318 education facilities in Kyiv have been damaged since the war began, with some hit up to eight times.
• CNN reports that first-grader enrollment has dropped significantly, with only 243,398 students starting school compared to 400,000 in 2021, as 1.8 million children are now living abroad or displaced.
• The Washington Post highlights that the total number of schoolchildren in Ukraine has fallen by 17.5%, or 755,000, since 2021, raising concerns about long-term learning loss and economic productivity.

Background

This development follows the start of the new academic year in September 2026, marking the fifth year of schooling since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Previous coverage noted that Kyiv had already begun the year with classes in basement shelters due to intense drone and missile attacks, with President Zelensky visiting a school shelter to mark the occasion. The current situation reflects a continued escalation in Russian aerial campaigns, including the use of jet-powered drones, which has forced a permanent shift to underground or remote learning for many institutions.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Times focuses on the physical adaptation of schools in frontline cities like Zaporizhzhia, describing how parents view underground schools as a relief from constant worry rather than an apocalyptic measure. CNN emphasizes the psychological and logistical strain on families in Kyiv, highlighting how the frequency of air raid alerts has made traditional sheltering unsustainable, leading to a 'lost generation' that has never experienced normal schooling. The Washington Post provides a broader statistical perspective, detailing the widespread damage to infrastructure and the shift to remote learning, while also noting the social and economic consequences of a shrinking student population and the challenges of maintaining educational quality in a war zone.

Why it matters

The shift to underground and remote education underscores the long-term impact of the war on Ukraine’s future workforce and social fabric. With a significant portion of the student population displaced or learning in suboptimal conditions, there are concerns about accumulated learning loss and the ability to rebuild the economy post-war. The resilience of the education system in adapting to constant threats highlights the determination of Ukrainian families to maintain normalcy for their children, even in the most dire circumstances.

What to watch

Ukraine is preparing for a potentially harsh winter, with schools stockpiling resources and upgrading shelters to withstand blackouts and continued strikes. The government is likely to continue supporting blended and remote learning models to accommodate the security situation, while international organizations may increase aid to address the growing gap in educational access and quality. The long-term effects on the country’s demographic and economic landscape will depend on the ability to retain and educate the remaining student population.