Mark Temnycky, a freelance journalist and non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council as well as an associate member of NTSh-A, spoke with First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska for Forbes. Their conversation centers on how Russia’s war has reshaped education across Ukraine. Nothing can compensate for the loss of life—children have become targets of Russian aggression. The total number of children killed is still unknown. Thousands have been deported to Russia and forcibly adopted there. In addition, the anti-Ukrainian and pro-Russian indoctrination imposed on children in occupied territories will cause long-lasting traumas.
At the level of education infrastructure, Ukraine is currently facing profound challenges as the nation strives to keep children safe while providing high-quality learning. Education shapes children’s future—an even more urgent truth for a nation fighting to preserve its independence.
In this interview, the First Lady points out that in Ukrainian ‘light’ (svitlo) and ‘education’ (osvita) sound similar: “By investing in education, including safe learning spaces, mental health support, and digital access, we move toward light and hope.”
Read the full interview