In Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, schools are built underground to shield students from Russian strikes, with about 74 such facilities functioning as classrooms where children can learn during ongoing bombardments and only glimpse the sky during brief, cleared periods.
In response to ongoing Russian attacks, the city of Kharkiv in Ukraine has moved classrooms underground, with about 1,500 children currently attending classes in subway stations. An additional nine subterranean schools are being built to accommodate up to 9,000 students. The move aims to provide a safe learning environment amidst the conflict, with the mayor emphasizing the importance of helping people feel secure and continue their lives. Despite the challenges, students like 7-year-old Maksym are finding joy and friendship in their underground classrooms, while the city works to complete a $1.5 million underground school to further ensure the safety of its children.