In Kharkiv, a city affected by war, life has changed in ways no one expected. Schools that used to be bright and full of playground sounds are now located deep underground. Nearly 20,000 children are learning not in regular classrooms, but in subway stations transformed into safe places to study.
Just 40 kilometres from the Russian border, Kharkiv has faced continuous attacks since the war began. With air raid sirens sounding multiple times a day, safety has become the top priority.
Inside stations like Oleksandr Maselsky, classrooms have been created in what were once empty corridors. Today, these spaces are filled with desks, books, and children eager to learn.
Teachers like Maksym Trystapshon conduct lessons near passing trains. Despite the unusual setting, the goal remains to provide children with a sense of normalcy.
For students, underground schools offer something priceless: a sense of safety.
Children no longer worry about drones, missiles, or explosions while studying. Parents also feel safer sending their children to these metro schools than keeping them at home amid uncertainty.
Since 2022, the region has suffered devastating losses, with over 100 children and thousands of civilians killed. This harsh reality has made underground schooling a necessity.
Life inside these subway schools follows a structured routine. Classes are held in shifts, seven days a week, to accommodate the large number of students.
Children study, play, and interact with friends, activities that are often missed during online classes amid the pandemic and war.
Meals are also provided daily, ensuring that students receive proper nutrition alongside their education.
These schools are not just about academics. They are also about emotional support and social connection.
For many children, especially those who have grown up during the pandemic and conflict, these spaces provide their first real classroom experience.
They also play an important role in preserving language and culture, as Ukrainian is actively taught and practised in these environments.
The destruction of Ukraine’s education system is extensive. Thousands of schools nationwide, including most in Kharkiv, have been damaged or destroyed.
Yet the city continues to find ways to move forward.
From underground classrooms to bunker schools, Kharkiv is proving that even in the face of conflict, education will not stop.
Despite the challenges, a sense of resilience defines these spaces. Children laugh, learn, and dream, even beneath the ground.
