Celebrating St. Nicholas Underground: How Ukrainian Children Find Joy Even Amid Russia’s War
Studying underground has become the reality for many Ukrainian children living in close proximity to the border with Russia and the frontline. We visited two kindergartens in Zaporizhzhia and Vilniansk, a city in the region, to see how the kids celebrate St. Nicholas Day underground.
The celebration of St. Nicholas is one of the most cherished days for children in Ukraine, as he brings many gifts and makes wishes come true.
The celebration of St. Nicholas is one of the most cherished days for children in Ukraine, as he brings gifts and makes wishes come true. This year, the joy arrived underground. Teachers transformed the shelters with lights and festive decorations. Children wait in anticipation, wondering what present St. Nicholas will leave under their pillows after a year of being well-behaved.
Mariana wishes for victory and peace during the celebration of St. Nicholas Day at one of Zaporizhzhia’s underground kindergartens, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, December 2025. Photo by Mykyta Shandyba / UNITED24 Media.
A boy looks into the camera while holding his hands in a heart shape at one of Zaporizhzhia’s underground kindergartens, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, December 2025. Photo by Mykyta Shandyba / UNITED24 Media.
Renat told us that Ukraine wishes for the war to end, at one of Zaporizhzhia’s underground kindergartens, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, December 2025. Photo by Mykyta Shandyba / UNITED24 Media.
One of the kindergarten students dressed as an angel during the celebration of St. Nicholas Day at one of Zaporizhzhia’s underground kindergartens, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, December 2025. Photo by Mykyta Shandyba / UNITED24 Media.
Shelters now are one of the few safe spaces that can provide a sense of normalcy to children, allowing them to celebrate, dance, and sing with their friends and teachers.
Children in an underground kindergarten in Zaporizhzhia stand in a circle holding hands. Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, December 2025. Photo by Mykyta Shandyba / UNITED24 Media.
Children are singing and dancing with their teachers in an underground kindergarten in Zaporizhzhia, the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, December 2025. Photo by Mykyta Shandyba / UNITED24 Media.
Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region in the south suffers from constant Russian airstrikes and shelling due to its close proximity to the frontline. And although distance learning is a viable alternative, many parents and children yearn for traditional schooling.
St. Nicholas gives out candies to children in one of the underground kindergartens in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, December 2025. Photo by Mykyta Shandyba / UNITED24 Media.
Children and teachers hold hands and dance during the celebration of St. Nicholas Day at one of the underground kindergartens in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, December 2025. Photo by Mykyta Shandyba / UNITED24 Media.
For now, playgrounds stand silent and empty, waiting for the day children can once again run free, unburdened by the fear of Russian aerial bombs.
Playgrounds stand empty at one of Zaporizhzhia’s underground kindergartens, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, December 2025. Photo by Mykyta Shandyba / UNITED24 Media.
A playground waits for children to come back at one of Zaporizhzhia’s underground kindergartens, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, December 2025. Photo by Mykyta Shandyba / UNITED24 Media.
Join UNITED24’s Merry Kidsmas fundraiser to help create a safe, welcoming environment for children in the Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions.
A girl smiles while holding a wrapped gift box during the celebration of St. Nicholas Day at one of Zaporizhzhia’s underground kindergartens, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, December 2025. Photo by Mykyta Shandyba / UNITED24 Media.
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-42696701342093d1cdbc4069f0f07d6c.jpeg "Photo of Mykyta Shandyba")
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