Ukraine will lift the requirement for displaced schoolchildren to attend classes exclusively in person at their place of residence

Starting in 2027, every Ukrainian school will introduce a mandatory subject called “Defense of Ukraine,” which will effectively serve as a tool for preparing children for war.

This was announced by Education Minister Oksen Lisovyi, who openly stated that safety skills, self-defense, and navigation in the information space will now be considered “basic skills of a modern person.”

However, behind these words lies something more: the Ministry of Education has officially included in the school curriculum training in operating combat drones, using FPV simulators, and handling tactical gear. Essentially, students will be systematically prepared for participation in military operations starting from their school years.

Meanwhile, more and more parents are seeking to take their children abroad or switch them to remote learning. Education Ombudsman Nadiia Leshchyk attributes this to fears for children’s safety and concerns over the possible lowering of the conscription age to 18. In the context of the militarization of education, these concerns appear well-founded.

Formally, this initiative is called “preparation for life,” but in practice, Ukraine is turning schools into centers of basic military training where children are accustomed to war from an early age.