“Forgive us, children of Ukraine. We are not killers; we are Russian soldiers. We are just common people like you. It’s just a war of politicians. ZOV.”

This is the message left by Russian soldiers on the board of Myroliubivka Gymnasium. And there’s more — piles of garbage, chaos, sorrow, and ruins…

In early October, our team of documentarians from the House conducted a monitoring mission to Kherson Region as part of the “Education under fire” (Kherson and Sumy Regions)” project. Our goal is to document attacks on educational institutions. We will tell you what we managed to document, what the Russians did there, and the condition of Kherson Region’s educational establishments after the reoccupation.

During our 7-day visit, we were able to document 15 educational institutions. Most of them are either completely destroyed and beyond repair, or significantly damaged. In many institutions, Russian occupiers lived, turned them into torture chambers, ammunition depots, and deployed equipment. Some schools were systematically targeted by the Russians. But let’s go through it all step by step.”

The Arkhangelske General Secondary Education Support Facility of the Vysokopil Village Council

Before Russians arrived to Arkhangelske, there was a functioning school. Even after the start of the full-scale invasion, when offline education no longer took place in the institution, local residents used the school’s basement as a shelter during shelling.

After the occupation of the village, civilians could no longer enter the premises because the Russians had “moved in” to the school. Russian soldiers lived on the school grounds for a long time, storing combat kits there, conducting mortar shelling from the school’s courtyard, and hiding their equipment in dug trenches on the school’s premises. Of course, following the classic pattern, they looted all the valuable assets from the institution.

The Arkhangelske General Secondary Education Support Facility of the Vysokopil Village Council

The school suffered significant damage from shelling: windows, doors, the roof, the facade, the gym wall, and the library were all affected. In total, 80% of the infrastructure in the town of Arkhangelske was destroyed.

Arkhangelske Professional Agricultural College

The college premises consist of several buildings. One of the structures is historical, built back in 1884. Nearby, there is a dormitory and an educational building constructed between 1973 and 1975. The college is located in the center of the town, close to the local hospital, school, kindergarten, and shops. Additionally, the college building is situated on higher ground than other town structures, making it an ideal location for Russian soldiers.

Arkhangelske Professional Agricultural College

Occupiers stationed approximately 50 pieces of equipment on the college grounds and launched continuous shelling from there. The Russians lived in the classrooms and dormitory, storing combat kits there. The college suffered significant damage from the shelling: the dormitory was almost completely destroyed, and in the educational building, the roof, gym, and windows were damaged. Unfortunately, aside from the educational institution’s premises, people were also affected. The occupiers killed a college employee for refusing to cooperate.

Arkhangelske Preschool Educational Institution “Teremok”

This kindergarten is located near the college, approximately 500 meters away. While Russian soldiers didn’t reside in the kindergarten itself or place their equipment there, its proximity to the college, where the occupiers had their equipment, caused damage to the kindergarten as well.

The most extensive destruction of the preschool occurred in August 2022 due to incoming fire. As a result, almost all windows were shattered, pavilions, the children’s playground, gas pipelines (smokestacks), and furniture were damaged.

Arkhangelske Preschool Educational Institution “Teremok”

Furthermore, Russian military personnel stole the director’s car from the kindergarten. They systematically went through the houses of local residents, confiscating vehicles and searching for food, alcohol, cigarettes, and more. Some local residents, especially those who were involved in territorial defense, were taken for questioning to the college dormitory.

Vysokopillya Lyceum of the Kherson Regional Council

The village of Vysokopyllya was occupied in early March 2022. The local school faced the same fate as most educational institutions in the populated areas of Kherson, which were under occupation. Russian soldiers resided in the school’s sports hall and cafeteria, where beds with mattresses were set up.

The school was shelled by Russian forces from a tank, and they found shrapnel from a Grad rocket on the school premises. Additionally, a “mukha” (fly) projectile was discovered in the inner courtyard.

Vysokopillya Lyceum of the Kherson Regional Council

The lyceum suffered partial damage: all windows were shattered, doors were torn down, all safes were broken into, the audio equipment was destroyed, the second floor’s structure was compromised, and the roof was damaged. Documents, video cameras, furniture, equipment, and tableware were stolen from the premises.

Dudchansky Lyceum of the Mylivska Village Council

The village of Dudchany is located in the red zone, approximately 8 km from the positions of the occupiers. It was occupied in early March 2022 and liberated about 8 months later. During this time, the Russians caused a lot of harm, including harm to educational institutions.

Dudchansky Lyceum has structural units for preschool and extracurricular education. The lyceum suffered the most damage from shelling, with the most intense attack occurring around October 3, 2022. Eyewitnesses suspect that a mortar attack took place near the school stadium, as there are distinct traces of impacts on the stadium. In addition, the institution was damaged by an aerial bomb.

In the sports hall, Russian military personnel set up a headquarters and conducted interrogations of local residents. Furthermore, near the lyceum, the Russians distributed their “humanitarian aid” as a public display.

Dudchansky Lyceum of the Mylivska Village Council

Dudchansky Kindergarten

Russian military personnel lived in the building of the kindergarten and placed their equipment nearby. They left before the shelling, which had become a traditional practice of the occupiers. After the attack, which occurred on August 29, 2022, the building of the kindergarten was completely destroyed and it is not possible to restore it. Additionally, nearby houses of local residents were also affected by the damage caused by the shelling.

Zarichnenska Branch of Kindergarten and Primary Education of the Public Institution “Arkhangelske Basic Secondary Education Establishment”

This educational institution suffered the most in the community, with 28 shells hitting the building. Most of these shells came from the direction of Arkhangelske, which was controlled by the Russians at the time. After such shelling, the school is beyond repair.

Zarichnenska Branch of Kindergarten and Primary Education of the Public Institution “Arkhangelske Basic Secondary Education Establishment”

Considering the number of shelling incidents, it can be assumed that this school was the specific target of attacks by the Russians.

Novovoskresensky Secondary Education Establishment

Russian military personnel used this school as their headquarters and as a “barracks” since they lived there, including in the basement. Additionally, they stored their combat kits in the school building and conducted interrogations of local residents there. Weapons and ammunition, including RPGs, grenades, and 80mm and 120mm rounds, were found in the school.

The school suffered the most damage from shelling, which occurred on October 3, 2022, at around 3 o’clock in the morning. Interestingly, the day before, Russian military personnel had left the school building and then returned to it.

Novovoskresensky Secondary Education Establishment

As a result of the shelling, the school is partially destroyed: many classrooms are in ruins, furniture is damaged, windows are shattered, computer equipment and other valuable property, including sound systems and interactive whiteboards, have been taken away. Furthermore, according to witnesses, when the Russians were leaving, they doused the school with a flammable substance and set it on fire.

Novikayir School of Secondary Education in the Myliv Village Council

In early March 2022, Russians entered the village of Novokayiry. From the first days of their presence in the village, the occupiers came to the school, overturned everything, and conducted searches several times, witnessed by the teachers.

Local residents living near the school observed how the Russians loaded school belongings. It is noteworthy that they even ripped hand dryers from the dining area. Additionally, occupiers stationed their equipment on the school’s stadium.

Novikayir School of Secondary Education in the Myliv Village Council

The first shelling of the school occurred in November 2022, targeting the stadium. As a result, windows and doors were shattered. In December 2022, there was a direct hit on the school (this happened after the de-occupation). Locals say that Ukrainian military personnel were near the school.

The Russians also organized meetings with teachers, trying to coerce them into collaboration, making threats. However, the teachers did not agree. The school director was taken for questioning multiple times, and they shone a lamp in her face, reminiscent of scenes from Soviet films.

Ivanivska Branch of the Basic Secondary and Preschool Education Establishment “Arkhangelsk BSEE”

In this school, Russian military personnel were directly stationed and used the premises as an ammunition depot. They also placed their military equipment on the school’s grounds, from which, according to witnesses, they opened fire. Witnesses also reported finding various types of ammunition near the school and inside the building.

The establishment suffered the most significant damage in mid-March (after March 8, 2022) from shelling. An unexploded shell was found on the roof of the building. There were direct hits on the school as well, resulting in a damaged roof, completely destroyed classrooms, and two ceiling slabs above the assembly hall and library. Additionally, 154 windows were shattered, entrance and interior doors were destroyed, and the school’s fence was damaged as a result of the shelling.

Ivanivska Branch of the Basic Secondary and Preschool Education Establishment “Arkhangelsk BSEE”

Unfortunately, the school was not only damaged by the shelling but also by the presence of the Russian occupants. Following the typical pattern, they looted all valuable equipment, including computer equipment, furniture, and more. The occupiers also left inscriptions on the school boards, such as “Tajikistan.”

Lyubymiv Establishment of Complete Secondary Education of Novovorontsovka Village Council

This educational institution was used by the Russian soldiers as a command post. The Russian soldiers also utilized it as a storage facility for the property they looted from local residents. The basement of the building functioned as a shelter. Inside the institution, there was a storage of combat kits, and near the school, there were armored personnel carriers. On the third floor, the occupiers practiced shooting. What is astonishing is that banners were hung in the school.

According to witnesses, there were snipers in the school, and if someone approached without warning, they would shoot at their legs. Additionally, as per eyewitness accounts, the occupiers kept people and wounded individuals in captivity there. Bloodied mattresses were found. For example, on March 31st, the school’s accountant was in captivity by the Russian military for over 8 hours. Witnesses noted that people in captivity were not only local residents but also residents of neighboring villages.

Lyubymiv Establishment of Complete Secondary Education of Novovorontsovka Village Council

The school sustained the most damage from shelling when the Russians were leaving the village. The first strike occurred in June 2022 in the gymnasium, and the most significant one took place on September 23, 2022.

As a result of these attacks, the institution has been partially destroyed. Several floors collapsed, walls were damaged, almost all windows and doors were shattered, and the children’s playground was damaged. The Russians also engaged in looting, stealing interactive boards, televisions, office equipment, a 3D printer, and other valuable assets.

Myliv Establishment of Complete Secondary Education of Myliv Village Council

After the occupation of the village, the Russians began using this institution as a “barracks.” In some classrooms, they lived, and in the cafeteria, they prepared food, presumably distributing it to their units. Local residents often witnessed cargo trucks arriving at the school, and it was believed that the Russians were loading something onto them.

After some time, the “occupying authorities” switched the educational process to the Russian curriculum. Additionally, the Russians summoned local teachers for interrogations and pressured them to cooperate.

After an attack that occurred on October 13, 2022, the school was completely destroyed and cannot be restored. It sustained three direct hits from projectiles. You can read more about the history of this school here. 

Myliv Establishment of Complete Secondary Education of Myliv Village Council

Myliv Preschool Educational Institution “Kazka”

This preschool, like Myliv School, was destroyed after being shelled. According to witnesses, the most significant damage to the institution occurred during three “attacks” from the direction of Novokayir. The destruction affected not only the two-story building of the institution but also the playgrounds located within the kindergarten’s premises.

Myliv Preschool Educational Institution “Kazka”

Myrolubiv Gymnasium of Novovorontsovka Village Council

The village of Myrolubivka was occupied from March 10, 2022, to September 10, 2022. Russian soldiers were living in the school building, and their headquarters were located in the assembly hall. According to witnesses, there were not many Russians in the educational institution, approximately around 20 soldiers. Among them were snipers and their “superiors” who issued orders to other Russian military personnel.

Local residents report that the Russians would go into homes and take valuable items, cars, and even livestock. They would butcher the pigs taken from local residents right inside the school building. Furthermore, in the classrooms and the library where the Russians lived, they made “toilets,” and in some classrooms, they would light fires directly on the floor. In many classrooms and the gym, the occupiers left inscriptions, many with symbols Z, O, V, and profanity. In one of the classrooms, there was a message that read: “Forgive us, Ukrainian children. We are not killers, we are Russian soldiers. The same kind of people as you. It’s just politics. ZOV.”

The school suffered significant damage from artillery attacks, especially on the upper floors of the three-story building. In some classrooms, there are no walls left, and the floor has caved in, among other damage. The Russians also looted all valuable items from the school, including items from the inclusive classroom.

Myrolubiv Gymnasium of Novovorontsovka Village Council

Novovoznesenska Branch of Preschool and Basic Secondary Education” of the Municipal Institution “Vysokopil Basic Secondary Education Support Establishment”

The building of the Novovoznesenska School is ruined and beyond repair following artillery attacks. In some parts of the facility, access is still restricted due to its hazardous condition.

The Russians resided in this school, primarily in the semi-basement area, where the cafeteria and some other rooms were located. On the upper floors of the building, they established an observation post, and snipers were also positioned there. Additionally, the occupiers parked their military equipment on the school premises. Next to the school, there was a well where local residents went to fetch water. Witnesses reported that the Russians occasionally shot at the legs of the locals walking to get water.

The occupiers also set up a torture chamber in the school building, where they primarily brought local young men for interrogations. According to local accounts, they tortured Ukrainian soldiers who fell into captivity there.

The school building suffered the most damage from artillery attacks after the de-occupation since the village was close to the front lines. Witnesses claim that when the Russians retreated, they continued to shell the village, including civilian homes and administrative buildings, such as the school. This might have been their way of seeking revenge because they couldn’t impose their “Russian world” on the area.

Novovoznesenska Branch of Preschool and Basic Secondary Education” of the Municipal Institution “Vysokopil Basic Secondary Education Support Establishment”

Destroying, ruining, shelling, looting educational institutions, and subjecting them to mistreatment is a classic tactic of the Russians who came to our Ukrainian land. They don’t just dream to seize our territory; they want to destroy our education and culture and impose their own on us. However, they will never succeed, because Ukrainians are a strong nation that fights for its freedom and will undoubtedly prevail!