In frontline cities, war and education are closely connected. Zaporizhzhia faces up to 10 air raid alerts daily, with missile flight times as short as 30 seconds.
"Zaporizhzhia region leads Ukraine in building underground schools. These facilities allow children, who have spent 3–4 years without in-person learning, to return to classrooms. Located seven meters underground, the school is protected against drones, guided bombs, and even bunker-busting missiles," said Mykhailo Fedorov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Digital Transformation.
Despite being built in under a year under extreme conditions, the school features modern renovations, robotics and drone operation classes, tactical medicine rooms, and relaxation areas—ensuring students can learn, socialize, and interact safely.
Mykhailo Fedorov visited the new school together with the UNITED24 ambassador Timothy Snyder. Snyder has supported Ukraine since the first days of the full-scale invasion. He publicly speaks about Russia's crimes, gives interviews, delivers lectures, and writes books that are known worldwide. Timothy draws the attention of millions to Ukraine.
This is the third underground school opened in Zaporizhzhia as part of the "School Offline" initiative, aimed at creating the safest possible environment for in-person education.
In total, 21 such schools are planned in the city, with three already operational and nine more under construction.
"Safety remains the top priority for offline education," added Fedorov.
