Editors’ note: A slowdown of satellite service that Ukraine’s military depends, coupled with a decrease in intelligence sharing and a shortage in U.S.-made air defense systems, have disrupted Ukraine’s ability to defend itself from Russian drone attacks. The Wall Street Journal reports the slowdown was imposed, without advance notice in mid-October, by Elon Musk, who owns the satellite network. This video, produced before the disruption, helps show the human impact of such actions.
Anastasiia Maylyshenko’s father is a Ukrainian soldier, currently serving in the Donetsk oblast, which borders Russia.
“That’s why I’m really worried about him,” she said.
This past summer, Anastasiia focused on learning English at the Sumy Regional Center.
“When I come here for classes, it distracts me from the explosions and all the anxiety,” she says. “I am very grateful for that.”
Teachers at the school offer children a variety of instruction, ranging from baking to identifying potential harmful objects on the street and arts-and-crafts activities for stress relief.
“Both parents and children are frightened by shelling and strikes,” says teacher Liudmyla Haeieva.
“An air raid alert can last five or six hours. Sometimes it lasts an entire day. When the all-clear is announced, we gladly go outside,” she adds.
Watch the video by Anna Klochko:
Read more about how adults are helping Ukrainian children in “Stepping In,” in the September issue of ONE magazine.