Underground Schools Shield Zaporizhzhia Students from Bombs and Nuclear Threats

Zaporizhzhia Parents Face Dual Threats: Bombs and Nuclear Risk

In the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, parents are grappling with an unprecedented challenge: protecting their children from both immediate bomb threats and potential nuclear disaster. The city’s proximity to the front lines of Russia’s invasion and its nuclear power plant has created a unique and perilous situation for residents.

Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Zaporizhzhia has become a strategic focal point due to its location. Unlike larger Ukrainian cities with extensive subway systems that serve as makeshift bomb shelters, Zaporizhzhia lacks adequate protection for its citizens. The city’s population has fluctuated as some residents flee while others arrive from Russian-occupied territories.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, presents an additional layer of concern. Although currently in cold shutdown, the plant faces risks associated with potential power supply interruptions. The International Atomic Energy Agency has been actively involved in monitoring the situation, but the threat of Russian attacks on Ukraine’s electrical grid remains a significant worry.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly warned about the possibility of Russian strikes on nuclear facilities, drawing comparisons to the Chornobyl disaster and highlighting the potential catastrophic consequences of a nuclear incident at Zaporizhzhia.

In response to these dual threats, local authorities have embarked on an ambitious project to construct subterranean schools designed to be both radiation- and bomb-proof. These underground educational facilities, funded through a combination of international donations and government prioritization, aim to provide a safe learning environment for students who have not attended in-person classes for years due to the pandemic and ongoing war.

The new facilities boast advanced safety features, including air filtration systems and the capability for autonomous operation. While experts debate the effectiveness of such structures in protecting against nuclear fallout, local students and parents view these underground schools as a necessary measure for ensuring safety and continuity in education.

The construction of these subterranean schools reflects the broader implications of the ongoing conflict and the lengths to which communities are going to adapt. City officials hope that these new facilities will encourage families to return to Zaporizhzhia, where public services continue to function despite the conflict.

Other schools in the city, such as Gymnasium No. 6, have also adapted to the situation by renovating basement shelters to provide safer spaces for students. As Zaporizhzhia continues to navigate the complexities of life under the shadow of war and nuclear risk, these underground educational facilities stand as a testament to the resilience and determination of its citizens to secure a future for their children.