Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, children have faced severe disruptions to their education, with many unable to attend school safely or consistently. Frequent air raid alarms and hostilities have forced numerous schools, particularly in frontline areas, to close, leaving almost one million children reliant on online learning, according to UNICEF.
In 2025 alone, over 340 educational facilities were damaged or destroyed, compounding the challenges for children’s access to learning. Since the beginning of the invasion, around 2,800 schools have been verified as damaged, though the true number is likely higher. UNICEF emphasizes that schools must remain safe spaces during conflict, as education provides children with a crucial sense of normalcy and stability amid the crisis.
Despite these obstacles, Ukrainian children remain determined to continue learning, whether in classrooms, shelters, or online. UNICEF, together with the government and local partners, has facilitated access to inclusive formal and non-formal education for over half a million children, including remedial programs to help them recover lost learning.
As Ukraine faces another winter under conflict, UNICEF is also providing vital cash assistance to help families cope with harsh conditions. In October 2025 alone, 22,557 households received winter cash support, totaling 43,337 households for the 2024–2025 winter season and reaching 140,234 people, including 63,416 children.
UNICEF stresses that protecting schools and ensuring children’s right to education is essential, even during war, and urges international partners to continue supporting Ukraine’s education sector as a critical, non-negotiable investment in the country’s future.
