Latest news with #CaitlinDoornbos
New York Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Ukraine's kids forced to study online — or underground — as Russia refuses to stop attacking civilians: ‘Like never-ending COVID with bombs'
KHARKIV, Ukraine — Thousands of children across Ukraine have been stuck behind computer screens for more than five years as Russia's constant bombings have left them unsafe to leave COVID-era online schools the rest of the world discarded years ago. Moscow routinely targets civilian infrastructure all over Ukraine, making even the most basic activities an intolerable risk. Fourth-grader Kyrylo has only attended classes in person for three months out of his entire life. The little boy started kindergarten in 2020, as the pandemic forced students across the world into virtual homeschooling. Advertisement 6 Children gather in an underground school in Pisochyn, Ukraine. NY Post/Caitlin Doornbos 6 A little girl playing dress-up in the school. NY Post/Caitlin Doornbos When schools reopened in the fall of 2021, Kyrylo was delighted to meet friends in first grade and learn critical social skills — but Russia launched its full-scale war on Ukraine the following February, forcing kids back online. Advertisement 'It's very scary, because I have to think about my son's life. He's only 10 years old and I cannot just let him go and hang out outside on his own,' his mother, Vlada, a part-time tram driver, told The Post. (The parents who agreed to be interviewed asked to be identified by first names only to protect their children from Russian targeting.) 'We struggle with school classes because they are conducted online and teachers are not able to reach all of them. I have to re-teach him what he's learned.' Kyrylo has one real friend — the son of his next-door neighbor. It's hard to meet other children his age when he has to stay home all day before joining his mother on her nightly route so they can be assured of making it to a shelter if and when air raid alarms go off. 'It's like never-ending COVID times,' Vlada said. 'But this time, with bombs.' Advertisement 6 Students take part in a 'catch-up session' ahead of the start of the school year in Pisochyn, Ukraine. NY Post/Caitlin Doornbos 6 The school is in such demand that students have to attend in four-hour shifts. NY Post/Caitlin Doornbos As in the US, most schools in Ukraine are not equipped with bomb shelters. That means parents often have to make steep sacrifices to ensure their kids get the educations they need, as safely as possible. Some try to scrape together enough funds to send their children to expensive private schools, which do have shelters. Advertisement 'I have to work long hours to give him a proper education now,' said Kharkiv resident Slava, a pharmacist, of her 10-year-old son. 'The first year [of the war], he was alone online and it was difficult, so now I decided I want to give him something — a real, normal education.' 6 A bedroom at the underground school. NY Post/Caitlin Doornbos Slava's son had become 'depressed' studying home alone, she said — but he's thriving after being back in the classroom. 'He likes to be with kids, not to learn online because it's difficult,' Slava explained. 'Small kids can't understand teachers on a screen, so you need communication with other kids. 'As I understand, it's not the aim of school to study only, but to communicate and have friends.' Other parents, such as Tatiana, sacrifice time with their children to ensure their kids are safe from Moscow's brutal attacks. Advertisement Tatiana's 7-year-old son Alexei struggled studying online for the first two years of the war. Fearing her child would be left behind, Tatiana made the heart-wrenching decision to move him into her mother's house hours away in Poltava, a smaller town further from the Russian border whose public school has a shelter. 'We are trying our best to make life good for our child,' Tatiana said. 'I can travel to Poltava and see them and come back — we're trying to make it work. 'In Poltava, all schools are working offline, but the children go down to the shelter every time [there's an air-raid alarm]. It's very strict.' 6 The classrooms are located three stories below ground level. NY Post/Caitlin Doornbos Advertisement A very lucky few, however, are able to attend schools built underground thanks to generous donors from across the world. The Post toured one such facility in Pisochyn, a small suburb of Kharkiv, that will welcome students for its first full school year later this month. The school — whose name The Post is not using for fear of Russian targeting — is decorated in bright, happy colors to bring some light to the windowless facility three stories below ground. In total, 250 students can fill eight classrooms — but they must come in two four-hour shifts each day due to the lack of space and overwhelming demand, according to Pisochyn mayor Oleg Chernobai. Advertisement On the day The Post toured the school, it was hosting a summer program for students who had only previously studied online to 'catch them up' to where they need to be. With the school just 15 miles from the Russian border, Chernobai said it takes just '45 seconds for a Russian rocket to reach Kharkiv,' meaning holding class underground is the safest option available — and outdoor recess is out of the question. 'Even if there is no alarm, they are already underground,' the mayor said. 'This way, they do not have to go outside when a missile is incoming. They can continue their studies.' Advertisement One student, a 6th grader named Anastasiia, said she felt 'safer at school than I do at home.' Another girl, named Yevheniia, said the best thing is being around the friends she missed dearly when she was stuck online learning. 'I do like coming here, coming in-person because we have our friends and teachers, we do tests and handcrafts,' she said. 'It's much better than staying at home.' 'If we have to be in war, we should at least have friends.'
New York Post
25-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
NY Post reporter just feet away from latest Russian bombing in Ukraine
Post reporter Caitlin Doornbos recounts the scary moments when a Russian bomb flew overhead and struck a residential building just feet away, President Trump's awkward moment with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, and remembering Hulk Hogan, dead at 71.
New York Post
22-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Inside the elite Ukrainian combat unit revolutionizing modern drone warfare
KYIV, Ukraine — An elite Ukrainian combat unit is defining the future of warfare by battle-testing new drone technology in real-time — which will provide invaluable insight and opportunity for the US, according to the unit's commander. As the more than three-year war turns to the skies, The Post visited a Ukrainian assault unit, which falls under the elite 3rd Assault Brigade, pioneering land and air drones to use in battle. From ground units that lay mines and fire assault rifles to flying drones that drop grenades, Ukrainian Armed Forces are constantly deploying new technologies — and making regular tweaks to perfect them — on the battlefield. 6 The Post visited a Ukrainian assault unit using advanced land and air drones that are defining the future of warfare. Caitlin Doornbos/NY Post 'This brigade systematically uses assault drones in its operations,' a UAF drone unit commander who goes by the callsign 'Makar' told The Post. 'They close the distance between Russian and Ukrainian troops because they can go farther than is safe for troops.' All of the drones used by Makar's unit are designed and produced in Ukraine, where developers have instant access to troop feedback on how to perfect their products. 'These are the most modern weapons because we're doing it in close collaboration with the developers,' Makar said. 'Today, if we are doing some mission and a problem arises, we can send a note to them and they can start rebuilding instantly to address the problem.' It is a prime example of Albert Einstein's classic adage, 'necessity is the mother of invention,' Makar said. 6 All of the drones used by Makar's unit are designed and produced in Ukraine. Caitlin Doornbos/NY Post The country also had to shift away from foreign weapons as a result of the pipeline of Western military aid drying up. Kyiv is now making roughly 40% of its own weapons, with a goal to boost that to 50% by next year. As a result, Ukraine has outpaced American drone production and know-how — but they are eager to share their knowledge with the US. 'The main thing is that developers abroad have no way to get their systems battle experience on their own shores,' Makar said. 6 Kyiv is now making roughly 40% of its own weapons. Caitlin Doornbos/NY Post 'They can have a great idea, but they won't know it won't work in modern warfare until they come here,' he continued. 'If they come to Ukraine, they can have close contact directly with troops, so changes can be made overnight instead of wasting time.' Makar said his unit is open to partnerships with weapons producers of all nations, calling it a win-win situation. Ukraine could use new technologies in its fight and defense companies could receive regular feedback to improve their weapons, which can then be certified as 'battle-tested.' 6 Makar said his unit is open to partnerships with weapons producers of all nations. Caitlin Doornbos/NY Post Here is the latest on the Russia-Ukraine conflict It comes as the Pentagon has begun stepping its foot into the world of drone warfare. On Tuesday, the US Army posted to X that it had just conducted its first test of a drone that drops grenades. 6 Ukraine has outpaced American drone production so far. Caitlin Doornbos/NY Post Meanwhile, in Ukraine, these same tactics and technologies are used hundreds of times per day. 'We want to share,' said another Ukrainian soldier known as 'Acrobat.' 'Because even if our country is killed, Russia will not stop. It will take these tactics and battlefield knowledge with them as they invade other countries.' 6 Ukraine had to shift away from foreign weapons as a result of the pipeline of Western military aid drying up. Caitlin Doornbos/NY Post Oleksandr Biletskyi, vice president of Ukraine's League of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, said Ukraine's drone developments are also key examples of the country's advanced engineering — which has long been native to this region. 'The tank industries, the rocket industry of the Soviet Union, were always done by Ukrainians,' he said. Now, with the conflict becoming the first example of modern warfare, the Ukrainian defense industry is further revolutionizing defense engineering by working hand-in-hand with frontline troops.
New York Post
26-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Are we at risk of an Iranian sleeper cell attack in the US?
Fears of potential Iranian sleeper cells operating secretly within the United States are prompting urgent discussions about national security risks, from traditional terror attacks to sophisticated cyber warfare. New York Post reporter Caitlin Doornbos explores the reality of these threats, emphasizing that while concrete evidence of organized sleeper cells remains elusive, self-radicalized individuals influenced by extremist propaganda pose a credible risk. Additionally, Iranian cyberattacks present a significant, yet often overlooked threat to essential infrastructure, potentially crippling hospitals, transportation, and communication systems. Recent apprehensions at the border, including Iranian migrants with suspected terror ties, have heightened these concerns. Though U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies are actively working to intercept threats before they materialize, shifting resources to border security might inadvertently expose other vulnerabilities. Caitlin stresses that despite these dangers, Iran's regime remains cautious, fully aware that direct attacks against America or its citizens would provoke devastating retaliation. The situation demands continued vigilance, proactive measures, and public awareness to ensure national security and prevent complacency.
New York Post
24-04-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Trump's final Ukraine peace deal pitch
With US officials in London on April 23 for what could be a last round of negotiations to try to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the pressure is on for Moscow and Kyiv to agree to the Trump administration's 'final offer' peace plan. While Kyiv has been consistently open to President Trump's call for a full cease-fire, Russia has continually rejected the American peace proposals. NY Post reporter Caitlin Doornbos shares this story.
