# Kyiv schoolchildren flee air raids

> Kyiv schoolchildren rush to shelters during Russian air raids, making underground lessons routine.
- Title: Kyiv schoolchildren flee air raids · The Straits Times
- Summary: Kyiv schoolchildren rush to shelters during Russian air raids, making underground lessons routine. Kyiv schoolchildren now take shelter during air raid…
- Keywords: kyiv, air raid, school, umka primary school, russian invasion, ukraine, news, world, schoolchildren, flee, air, raids
- Source: The Straits Times — https://straitstimes.com/world/europe/to-the-shelter-quickly-air-raids-reshape-kyiv-school-life
- Published: 2026-10-21T02:49:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kyiv, air raid, school, umka primary school, russian invasion, ukraine, news, world
## Kyiv schoolchildren rush to shelters
Students run to shelters during air raid alerts amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

> To the shelter, quickly!
## UMKA school director urges calm
Valentyna Kurinna, UMKA primary school director, tells children to move quickly to shelters.

> Everyone to the shelter, quickly, quickly, quickly!
## Recent drone attack near school
A drone hit the school playground, narrowly missing a grandfather who stayed outside.

> The explosion unleashed a huge ball of fire that burned the multicoloured playground.
## Children comfort each other
Children hug and comfort each other during air raid alerts to stay calm.

> We can hug each other when things are scary. We can comfort each other with words too.
## School shelter capacity issues
Only 40% of Kyiv schools have enough shelter space for all students.

> Only 40% of Kyiv schools have enough shelter space
## UMKA school shelter details
UMKA’s private shelter has four entrances and spaces for desks and napping.

> The shelter has four different entrances to allow all the children to go downstairs smoothly
## Children enjoy outdoor break
Children finish underground classes to enjoy a 15-minute outdoor break in the sun.

> Freedom!
## Key takeaway

Kyiv schoolchildren now take shelter during air raid alerts as Russia's attacks hit by day, with underground lessons becoming part of daily life.