AreaRead the video transcript expand here
Equipment test instead of math - weapon training instead of Russian.
This school in Kharkiv is rehearsing for emergencies.
And for the city in north-eastern Ukraine, that means being prepared for war.
Oleksandr Shevchuk, Civilian Defense Specialist:
“It has always been customary.
But now we are doing these exercises with children even more often to avoid situations where children are injured or, God forbid, killed.”
Kharkiv district borders both Luhansk and Donetsk.
Vladimir Putin has just recognized the independence of these regions - and announced that he will send troops there.
Nevertheless, during the exercises in Kharkiv, some children seem more amused than frightened.
Arina Cherkasova, 15 years old:
»It was a bulletproof vest, a helmet and a metal detector.
How did that feel?
Well, it was a bit difficult… and it was pretty weird trying that in front of my friends.”
The relaxed atmosphere is part of the strategy used by representatives of the security authorities to introduce the children to the topic.
Oleksandr Shevchuk, a specialist in defending civilians:
»In this situation we try to keep the children and the teachers away from panic.
We try to show them all that.
We explain everything to them and let them try out our uniforms, bulletproof vests and helmets.
We show them what explosive objects can look like.
In this way, they can become aware of the situations they can get into.«
And the seriousness of the situation is still clear to the young people - because they also discuss the dangers of the situation with each other.
Nazar, student:
»We talk in general terms about what is happening.
We're talking about when the invasion might happen -- if it's going to happen at all.
And what to do when it happens - if it does.
This is quite important considering the current situation that is developing between Ukraine and Russia.
Yes, that is very, very scary.”
Evacuation routes are also practiced – and how to deal with fire.
But the preparations for war go far beyond schools: the government in Kiev, which has been rather relaxed in recent weeks, is also taking precautions against a Russian invasion.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine:
"We must quickly bring the Ukrainian army and other military units to full strength.
As Commander-General of the Armed Forces, I issued a decree to recruit reservists for a special period."
Violent clashes have been going on in eastern Ukraine for years: between Ukrainian government troops and Russian separatists.
Now a power plant is on fire near the front line, some 25 kilometers from Luhansk, which is controlled by Russian fighters.
Andriy Kravchenko, spokesman for the rescue services in Luhansk:
»The shelling of the city of Shchastya hit a transformer in the thermal power plant.
It's on fire now, and gas is leaking out.
There is a risk that the fire will spread to another transformer.
And the rescue workers can't put out the fire because there's no ceasefire."
According to statements from Kiev, the city of Shchastya has been under artillery fire for days.
Putin claims he is sending his troops on an alleged "peace mission" to stop the clashes.
In Ukraine - and also in the rest of the world - this triggered concerns about an escalation of the war.
