At school in Kyiv, it has become common to hear air raid sirens instead of the ringing of the school bell. Dozens of eight-year-olds descend into the basement, clutching pencils and books, determined to continue their lessons despite the threat above.
"It's the war that has made them mature," said Liudmyla Yaroslavtseva, head teacher at Kyiv's Art Lyceum "Zmina." She recalls how children used to panic when the sirens first began three years ago. Now, they sit quietly, focusing on their studies as if this underground classroom is the new normal. "We try to protect them, but we can't fully shield them from everything."
In Kharkiv, classrooms have been set up in metro stations for safety. Children paint, study, and try to maintain a sense of normalcy in these makeshift shelters. “It’s not normal,” one teacher remarks, “but we have to keep going.”
Art teacher Valentyna Maruniak has observed a transformation in her pupils’ drawings since 2022. "They used to paint mainly tanks, planes, bombings. Now, they draw rainbows, flowers, and the sun. They want victory, joy, spring, and calm."
When asked to depict the most memorable moments of the war, some children drew tanks and soldiers. Others painted memories of trips, peaceful times, or places they’ve lost. Eight-year-old Solomiia Karanda painted the landscape of a village where her grandmother once lived. “A missile struck a home close to my grandma’s, but now it is getting rebuilt,” she said.
When asked to depict the most memorable moments of the war, some children drew tanks and soldiers. Others painted memories of trips, peaceful times, or places they’ve lost. Eight-year-old Solomiia Karanda painted the landscape of a village where her grandmother once lived. “A missile struck a home close to my grandma’s, but now it is getting rebuilt,” she said.
Many children have developed routines to cope with the fear of missile attacks. Karanda describes curling up in bed with her toys to feel less scared. Her classmate, Nikita Bondarenko, has learned to hide behind thick walls with his younger sister, covering her with blankets for protection. "I tell her, 'Masha, missiles and bombs are flying.'"
The war has taken a significant toll on mental health. According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science, over 50,000 children sought professional help with mental health issues in the first nine months of 2024—three times more than in 2023.
A survey conducted by Plan International found that nearly one in five Ukrainian youths have missed between one and two years of education due to the war. More than 3 million children have been displaced, and around 4.6 million face barriers to learning. Nearly a third of the country’s educational facilities have been damaged, with over 365 schools completely destroyed.
Despite the challenges, hope remains. “If you had a magic wand, what would you ask for?” Yaroslavtseva asked her students. “For peace to come quickly,” 90% of the children answered.
They no longer dream of toys or trivial wishes. Instead, they dream of a future where the ringing of the school bell will be louder than the sirens, and the fear of war will be replaced with the sounds of peace and childhood.
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised that Ukraine must shape its own future, ahead of his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. He called for continued solidarity with Ukraine, stating it’s in Britain's national interest.
Israel delayed releasing 620 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday, citing Hamas' failure to meet conditions. Hamas responded by tying further ceasefire talks to the release.
President Donald Trump’s administration announced a decision to place the majority of USAID personnel on paid administrative leave, with plans to cut about 2,000 positions in the U.S., according to a notice reviewed by Reuters.
Britain’s Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will meet India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi on Monday to restart trade talks between the two countries, aiming for a new economic deal.
As Ukraine enters the fourth year of its war with Russia, uncertainty looms over its support from the United States, as President Trump pushes for a rapid peace deal while sidelining Kyiv.
Australia's eSafety Commission fined messaging platform Telegram about A$1 million for its delay in providing information on measures to prevent child abuse and violent extremist content, the regulator announced on Monday.
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