Ukrainian Girl's Struggle Under Russian Occupation

Svitlana, an 18-year-old from the Kherson region, has lived under Russian occupation since 2022. After Russian forces seized her village, she returned to school on September 1, 2022, only to find it transformed into a pro-Russian institution.

The school displayed Russian flags, portraits of President Vladimir Putin, and the Russian national anthem, while Ukrainian symbols were removed. Svitlana's mother could not leave the occupied area, compelling Svitlana to complete her education under Russian authority.

During assemblies, students were forced to sing the Russian anthem, but Svitlana secretly sang the Ukrainian anthem instead. Many teachers resigned in protest, while others were intimidated into compliance.

Svitlana's account highlights the systematic efforts to re-educate Ukrainian children to align with Russian ideology, reflecting broader human rights concerns in occupied territories.