KHARKIV, Ukraine, Sept 1 – With hopes of restoring a sense of normalcy after over three years of war, Ukrainian families marked the new school year on Monday by sending their children to study below ground level.

In Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city and a frequent target of Russian attacks, around 17,000 schoolchildren are now attending underground schools. Seven such facilities are currently in use, with more scheduled to open in the near future.

"My child started first grade today at an underground school, the closest one to our area in Northern Saltivka," said Anastasia Pochergina, referencing a neighborhood often hit by shelling.

"The classrooms are located three stories below ground. We were told it’s the deepest school in the city. That makes me feel it’s safe enough. Honestly, I didn’t think it would be possible for her to attend a real school this year, but I was determined for her to experience it."

Pochergina prepared her daughter for the first day of school on September 1, which traditionally includes gifting teachers flowers. Still, she held back hopes for a complete return to normal, even with potential peace discussions underway.

"We hoped for improvement, but full peace seemed out of reach," she explained. "We didn’t expect to return to regular school life, because we try to remain grounded and realistic about the ongoing situation."

As students arrive at the underground facilities, teachers encourage them to head inside swiftly. Groups of children, young and old, descend stairwells hand in hand to attend classes in well-equipped rooms, showing little sign of worry.

Kharkiv’s Mayor Ihor Terekhov announced plans to launch another three underground schools in the coming year. Additionally, six metro stations have been refitted as learning spaces to bring consistency to children’s education.

"This facility is among those closest to the Russian border. Today, we opened two schools in Nova Saltivka, just like this one," said Terekhov.

"You can see how deep it is underground. That depth is crucial for safety. The facility is large and currently has 1,500 students."

Six-year-old Maria Yampolska shared her excitement about her first day of school, where she spent time drawing and playing.

Asked how it compared to her earlier school experiences, she answered sincerely: "I never went to kindergarten because of the war."