What’s Left of Education in Belgorod Region in the Fourth Year of War

In Russia’s border regions, where air raid sirens, destroyed homes, and civilian deaths have become part of daily life, schools are increasingly losing their original purpose — and turning into showcases of militarization. Teachers from Belgorod told The Insider how they are forced to work under constant shelling, amid state propaganda and mounting administrative pressure.

“Education in Russia — and especially in Belgorod — is a black hole. It’s horrifying, and I’m afraid to imagine what comes next,” says one teacher.

Military symbolism is everywhere: displays of bullet casings, portraits of the fallen, and “Hero Desks” fill the school halls. Children are made to collect care packages for soldiers. Teachers, in turn, are pressured to donate money out of their own salaries. Some educators comply willingly, aligning themselves with the state’s political narrative.

“They even encourage us to go to the enlistment office — saying that’s where you’ll truly prove yourself,” shares a teacher from a Belgorod gymnasium.

But behind the patriotic facade lie silence, fear, and burnout. Teachers describe emotional isolation, deteriorating communication, and a sense of collective numbness.

“There’s learned helplessness,” says another teacher. “And that’s not just what the educators feel — that’s what the kids will one day remember as their childhood.”

Education, teachers say, has been pushed to the background. Meanwhile, Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov boasts that the region is the first in Russia to open Warrior military-patriotic centers in every municipality:

“Patriotic upbringing of our children is one of our top priorities. We’re doing everything to create an environment where their eyes light up.”