Ukraine's Children Celebrate First Day of School, But Missiles Still Fly

Schoolchildren in the southern Ukrainian city Zaporizhzhia celebrated the traditional first day of school on Sunday. The ceremonies began just hours after warnings of Russian air raids sounded through the city.

Zaporizhzhia is just 40 kilometers from the war's front. That danger is never far from the minds of teachers and families at one of the city's schools.

Russian artillery and missiles strike there so often that local officials were forced to ban large gatherings. Only students starting their first and last years could take part in the ceremony.

The Associated Press is not identifying the school for security reasons.

Limited space in shelter

The children wore traditional Ukrainian clothing and carried flowers. Each first year student held the hand of a final year student in a small parade.

The school once had 800 students but about 300 fled the city seeking safer places. The remaining children alternate one week of study at school with one week of online study. That is because the school's bomb shelter can hold only around 250 people.

That shelter is about 75 meters away from the main school building, across an open playground. School director Kostiantyn Lypskyi said the youngest students work in a classroom just above the underground shelter. The rest of the school operates in the main building.

Lessons held underground

“We prepared everything for the new school year. We equipped the bunker in case of air alarms, so children will have a safe space because our school will continue lessons during the air raid alarms in the bunker,” he said.

Sunday's ceremony went on without problems.

Olha Komarova-Lesko is the mother of an 11th grader and a 6th grader. She said she was hopeful for the coming school year. She sees it as the best solution for the present conditions.

“We are happy that the children had the chance to go to the celebration today just as in the prewar times,” she said, “This is really exciting and joyful.”

Russia launched large numbers of missiles and drones on the capital Kyiv Monday, wounding three people and damaging schools. On Tuesday, Russian missiles killed at least 41 people and wounded over 180 in Poltova, a city in the central eastern part of Ukraine.

I'm Caty Weaver.

Lori Hinnant reported this story for the Associated Press. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English.

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despite – prep. in defiance or contempt of; without being prevented by

bunker – n. a strong building that is mostly below ground and that is used to keep people safe from attacks

alarm – n. a device that makes a loud sound as a warning or signal

grader – n. US: a student in a particular grade in school

alternate – v. to place or do (different things) so that one follows the other in a repeated series