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Children in Nikopol seek refuge in underground schools amid bombardment

Feb 21, 2026, 5:27 PM10
(Update: Feb 21, 2026, 5:27 PM)
City in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (province) of Ukraine
president of Russia (1999–2008, 2012–present)
sovereign state in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia
British journalist

Children in Nikopol seek refuge in underground schools amid bombardment

  • Since 2022, Nikopol has been under threat from Russian forces, causing many residents to seek refuge.
  • Most of the schools in the area have suffered damage due to bombing and artillery fire.
  • Underground schools have become essential for children's safety, allowing them to maintain some normality amid violence.
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In Nikopol, Ukraine, residents have faced constant danger since 2022 when Russian forces captured a nearby power station, which intensified hostilities in the area. The city, closely situated to Russian forces, has been subjected to relentless attacks, forcing many people to seek safety underground. Schools have become critical havens for children who cannot safely play or learn above ground, where they are vulnerable to drone strikes and artillery fire. Inna, a mother of a seven-year-old named Bohdan, described the psychological toll on children who live in fear of being targeted by drone attacks, highlighting their struggles with emotional expression and their need for normality in an otherwise chaotic existence. ','As children attend underground schools, they are surrounded by the sounds of explosions and the reality of their precarious situation, with parents fearing for their safety and struggling to provide a semblance of normal life amid the violence. Despite the dangers, Inna and her child commit to staying in Nikopol, searching for normalcy within the limits of their circumstances. Inna observed that small children, despite their trauma, still possess a cheerful innocence and hope. With an alarming percentage of schools damaged by conflict, these underground institutions not only provide shelter but also a chance for children to socialize and maintain a semblance of normal education. The persistence of Ukrainians in such hazardous conditions illustrates their resilience, underscored by the heartbreaking reality of living under threat, with the persistent risk of proximity to incessant military operations.

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