In Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, where Russia continues to invade, a "No. 309" public school with approximately 1,700 students is carrying out evacuation drills in preparation for the potential use of nuclear weapons by Russia. Since the invasion began on February 24th of last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin has frequently alluded to the possibility of employing nuclear weapons, heightening concerns of a nuclear threat. That's why the school arranges its training procedures.
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| Evacuation drills simulating the use of nuclear weapons by Russia are seen in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine |
Victoria Nazaruk, a 39-year-old 4th-grade teacher, somberly recounted the devastating reality that nuclear bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, causing many to suddenly lose their loved ones. Her statement had an immediate impact on the 17 boys and girls, aged 9-10, who had been excitedly participating in her lesson. After instructing them on the power of different nuclear weapons and how to operate dosimeters, she requested that the students present the pre-assigned "homework."
The students retrieved a collection of protective gear from their bags, including vinyl raincoats, swimming caps, goggles, and masks. They had taken the initiative to prepare these supplies at home after consulting with their parents, in preparation for a potential nuclear explosion nearby. After instructing the students to don the protective equipment, Nazaruk stressed the importance of avoiding skin exposure in the event of a nuclear explosion. She then gathered the students around the podium, where a fictional city called "New Mariupol" had been constructed using toy blocks (the real Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine was seized by the Russian army in May of last year).
Nazaruk held a light blue balloon above the students' heads, which they peered at as it floated over the toy city. Suddenly, she burst the balloon with a needle, demonstrating the destructive power of a nuclear explosion.
The balloon burst with a loud pop, causing the flour inside to shower down onto the heads of the students, leaving a fine dusting on their raincoat hoods and the roofs of the toy buildings. Nazaruk asked the students to consider where the powder would stick and how it could affect them. Following the exercise, the students were directed to evacuate to the basement shelter of the school, where they removed their raincoats and placed them in a garbage bag before completing the training in under an hour.
Nazaruk, who hails from Bucha, near Kyiv, has personal experience with the atrocities committed by the Russian military. Having survived by hiding in an underground shelter, he emphasizes the importance of preparation and awareness, saying, "Something we never thought could happen actually did. We were not prepared at the time, so it's important to be aware of what can happen and to be prepared. That's the message I impart to my students."
Evacuation drills for a nuclear explosion were initiated at the school in late May of last year. After the Russian army withdrew its troops from around Kyiv and concentrated its forces in the eastern part of the country at the end of March, schools were closed temporarily due to the invasion but reopened in May. Concerns among parents were raised by Putin's repeated hints at the use of nuclear weapons around this time, according to headmaster Olha Tymoshenko.
The school has also implemented training for the use of chemical and biological weapons in addition to nuclear explosions. These drills are held regularly for each grade, in conjunction with almost daily air raid evacuation drills. Tymoshenko expressed concerns about Putin's unpredictability and emphasized the importance of continued training, stating, "Putin is a ruthless person and we don't know what he will do. All we can do is keep training and pray that it doesn't come to fruition."
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