Kids from homes darkened by Russian missiles find solace at school

As Russia’s invading troops and Ukrainian troops continue to push for what is, Expect to see months of winter warfare.Both are still being targeted by Russian missiles UkraineThe infrastructure of the energy sector and its cities. Millions of Ukrainians survived the direct fire, but were left to endure freezing temperatures without heating or electricity.

The scene of a group of children, all dressed in layers against the cold, walking to school this week could have been seen from almost anywhere. The morning school run in Bucha, a Kyiv suburb, is anything but ordinary.

Regular power outages mean that it is often dark and cold as the children make their way to school. Soon, a generator kicks in, providing warmth and light — which is often in short supply in many children’s homes.

Eight-year-old Dana said to CBS News that it is “very difficult” at her house right currently. She said that there is no electricity. “We are freezing at home.”

Bucha’s elementary school children are joking and smiling as they run around the school halls. But, these moments of laughter belie elementary schoolers who have learned far more than they should. These children are war-savvy.

Bucha is located just north of Kyiv capital. This placed it directly in the path Vladimir Putin’s troops, who stormed down from Belarus in an attempt to seize the capital in February and March. In March, Russian forces occupied the suburb after a bloody battle. After a few weeks, however, Russian forces retook the suburb. However, Ukrainian troops mounted a formidable defense and Moscow abandoned the attack avenue and moved its forces elsewhere.

The bodies of the Russian invaders left behind on the streets after they fled at the end March. CBS News Bucha was visited less than a week after the fact We saw evidence of the murders. Russia dismissedAs “fake.”

Russia claimed that the deaths took place after its forces had left the area. However, a satellite photo analysis showed that bodies were found in Bucha’s streets and yards well before the Russians made their hasty retreat.

Some of the civilians killed in the town — one of many now Being investigated by Ukrainian war crime investigators — were children.

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Acting principal Iryna Vaschchenko presented CBS News a memorial in Bucha where some of the names of the children — Katya, Chekmaryov, and Vanya — were written.

Vashchenko stated, “Every morning at nine o’clock in the morning we have a minute silence because we must never forget them.”

Russia’s brutal targeting of Ukraine’s energy grid has resulted in millions of homes without power, as temperatures plummet below freezing.

Diane Baima, a Milwaukee-native who moved to Ukraine in 2014, helped her students to build a snowman. She told CBS News that even with all the hardships, children still need to be children.

After moving to Ukraine, Baima married her Ukrainian husband.

“I kept telling my husband that I would leave if it became unsafe. “But once it happened, then was like, I’m not going,'” she recalled, laughing. “I stayed here.”

Baima did not just stay. She also continued teaching at her private school in Kyiv, despite the dangers of war. Since then, she has noticed some changes in her students.

“I think some of them might be a bit more emotional and sometimes sounds make them nervous.”

Baima spoke out about one of her students, “Maya’s dad is in the war.” “So, she worries a lot about that… we need to help with all of those emotions she has.”

The war was not far from the minds the school’s older students. One boy, who was attending his English class, told CBS News that it was important to him that the world support his country right now.

He said, “I believe in humankind.”

In:
• War
• Ukraine
• Russia
• War Crimes
• Vladimir Putin