Ukraine: Schools Under Attack

A fire, apparently started by an airstrike, completely destroyed School Number 2 in Stanytsia Luhanska in August 2014. © 2015 Yulia Gorbunova/Human Rights Watch
A fire, apparently started by an airstrike, completely destroyed School Number 2 in Stanytsia Luhanska in August 2014. © 2015 Yulia Gorbunova/Human Rights Watch
Children napping in Kindergarten Number 3, in Ilovaisk, which was severely damaged during fighting in August 2014. When Human Rights Watch visited in September 2015, most of the windows were blown out, and inner door frames and walls were marked by shrapn
Children napping in Kindergarten Number 3, in Ilovaisk, which was severely damaged during fighting in August 2014. When Human Rights Watch visited in September 2015, most of the windows were blown out, and inner door frames and walls were marked by shrapnel.   © 2015 Yulia Gorbunova/Human Rights Watch
Red tape on the hallway walls of School Number 1 in Marinka marks the line below which students should shelter in case of attack in order to avoid injury from shattering windows. © 2015 Bede Sheppard/Human Rights Watch
Red tape on the hallway walls of School Number 1 in Marinka marks the line below which students should shelter in case of attack in order to avoid injury from shattering windows.  © 2015 Bede Sheppard/Human Rights Watch
Students from School Number 2 in Stanytsia Luhanska, destroyed during the hostilities in August 2014 have to attend classes in a small one-story building that was previously a newspaper office © 2015 Bede Sheppard/Human Rights Watch
Students from School Number 2 in Stanytsia Luhanska, destroyed during the hostilities in August 2014 have to attend classes in a small one-story building that was previously a newspaper office. © 2015 Bede Sheppard/Human Rights Watch
Hallway of Krasnohorivka’s School Number 3, damaged by shrapnel and shell fragments. © 2015 Yulia Gorbunova/Human Rights Watch
Hallway of Krasnohorivka’s School Number 3, damaged by shrapnel and shell fragments.  © 2015 Yulia Gorbunova/Human Rights Watch
A member of the Donbass battalion makes his bed in a school converted into a base, August 18, 2014 in the small town of Popasna. © 2014 AFP/Getty Images/Anatoli Stepanov
A member of the Donbass battalion makes his bed in a school converted into a base, August 18, 2014 in the small town of Popasna.  © 2014 Anatoli Stepanov/AFP/Getty Images
Ukrainian language teacher dressed in a thick coat in a classroom of School Number 2 in Marinka. Disruptions to the municipal gas system caused by the conflict have left many schools without sufficient heating to hold classes.
Ukrainian language teacher dressed in a thick coat in a classroom of School Number 2 in Marinka. Disruptions to the municipal gas system caused by the conflict have left many schools without sufficient heating to hold classes. © 2015 Bede Sheppard/Human Rights Watch
Principal outside Ilovaisk’s School Number 14. Due to the significant damage the school sustained during the conflict, it did not reopen for the 2015-2016 school year. © 2015 Tanya Lokshina/Human Rights Watch
Principal outside Ilovaisk’s School Number 14. Due to the significant damage the school sustained during the conflict, it did not reopen for the 2015-2016 school year.  © 2015 Tanya Lokshina/Human Rights Watch
Damaged school in Nikishine. Rebel fighters deployed inside the school between September 2014 and February 2015 and exchanged intense fire with Ukrainian forces. © 2015 Yulia Gorbunova/Human Rights Watch
Damaged school in Nikishine. Rebel fighters deployed inside the school between September 2014 and February 2015 and exchanged intense fire with Ukrainian forces. © 2015 Yulia Gorbunova/Human Rights Watch
Certificate of completion of general secondary education (grades 1-9) issued by the rebel Donetsk People’s Republic. Ukrainian authorities do not recognize school certificates, diplomas, or any other documents issued by the militants. © 2015 Yulia Gorbuno
Certificate of completion of general secondary education (grades 1-9) issued by the rebel Donetsk People’s Republic. Ukrainian authorities do not recognize school certificates, diplomas, or any other documents issued by the militants.  © 2015 Yulia Gorbunova/Human Rights Watch
A soldier’s nom-de-guerre, “Crow,” painted on the door to a teachers’ room at School Number 4 in Krasnohorivka. Ukrainian military were based in the school for more than a year. © 2015 Bede Sheppard/Human Rights Watch
A soldier’s nom-de-guerre, “Crow,” painted on the door to a teachers’ room at School Number 4 in Krasnohorivka. Ukrainian military were based in the school for more than a year.  © 2015 Bede Sheppard/Human Rights Watch
School Number 42 in Vuhlehirsk was struck six times in January and February 2015. © 2015 Yulia Gorbunova/Human Rights Watch
School Number 42 in Vuhlehirsk was struck six times in January and February 2015. © 2015 Yulia Gorbunova/Human Rights Watch
School administrator of School Number 1 in Stanytsia Luhanska shows the remnants of a Grad rocket that struck the school on the evening of January 25, 2015. A second rocket fell on the school’s grounds. © 2015 Yulia Gorbunova/Human Rights Watch
School administrator of School Number 1 in Stanytsia Luhanska shows the remnants of a Grad rocket that struck the school on the evening of January 25, 2015. A second rocket fell on the school’s grounds.  © 2015 Yulia Gorbunova/Human Rights Watch
Renovations ongoing in Horlivka’s School Number 14. The school was damaged in a shelling attack in August 2015
Renovations ongoing in Horlivka’s School Number 14. The school was damaged in a shelling attack in August 2015. © 2015 Yulia Gorbunova/Human Rights Watch
Renovations at School Number 1 in Marinka © 2015 Bede Sheppard/Human Rights Watch
Renovations at School Number 1 in Marinka © 2015 Bede Sheppard/Human Rights Watch
School in Novosvitlivka that was destroyed by Grad rocket attacks in August 2014.
School in Novosvitlivka that was destroyed by Grad rocket attacks in August 2014.   © 2015 Yulia Gorbunova/Human Rights Watch
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