German Media: "Violence Groups" Emerge in Ukrainian Schools: Is War Trauma Destroying the Next Generation?

School bullying in Ukraine is intensifying sharply due to war-related trauma. Long-term stress is trapping teenagers in a vicious cycle of anxiety and violence, while Russian intelligence agencies are accused of inciting hatred through social media platforms. Faced with a generation scarred by war, Ukraine's education system and police are urgently stepping in, striving to rescue lost youth from the shadows of bullying beyond the sound of artillery fire.

A boy’s eyes fill with tears as he stares blankly at the ground, having long given up resistance. But his classmates surrounding him feel no pity—they one by one step out of the semicircular ring of attack, punching him in the face, while others laugh mockingly. A bystander films the scene on their phone.

For months, such videos have circulated frequently across Telegram groups, TikTok, and other social media platforms in Ukraine. For educational official Nadiya Leshik, these clips reflect a problem that has been underestimated but is rapidly worsening in Ukrainian schools.

"At the beginning of the war, we were all preoccupied with other matters," Leshik said. "Since then, the number of violent incidents has been steadily rising."

In her view, the cause is obvious: minors are deeply affected by the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Leshik explained, "When young people hear explosions, their minds are shaken." She added that rates of anxiety and depression among adolescents have surged dramatically. A survey conducted by the Kyiv-based Mindset Institute found that three out of four Ukrainian students exhibit symptoms of stress.

Teenagers React Differently to Stress

The report’s authors emphasize that each teenager responds to stress differently. Many withdraw, while others become aggressive. No longer willing to play the role of victims, some attempt to boost their self-esteem by belittling others—sometimes resorting to violence.

"Some have experienced trauma themselves, and now they want to become the 'big boss' by sacrificing others," said 14-year-old David, a student at Kyiv’s No. 45 Secondary School. His classmate, 15-year-old Jana, added, "For some reason, it now feels easier to insult others." Having fled her hometown and transferred to a new school, Jana had previously suffered bullying. "There was a time when I stopped attending classes altogether."

The Ukrainian authorities are actively addressing this issue. Police teams regularly visit No. 45 High School, teaching students not only how to respond to air raid alerts and identify landmines, but also discussing bullying. Officer Yana Vitalievna explained: "Nowadays, cyberbullying is dominant—the psychological violence is spreading into the digital realm."

Russia Exploits Teen Vulnerability

After years of war and remote learning, many Ukrainian children have smartphones and installed apps designed to warn them of incoming Russian attacks. When air raid sirens sound, they can quickly contact their parents via social media. Leshik points out that Russian authorities are exploiting this vulnerability.

"They deliberately provoke aggression in children and teenagers using various means," Leshik said.

For some time, Ukrainian officials have warned that Russian intelligence operatives are active in Telegram groups frequented by teenagers. Using language styles favored by youth, they aim to incite hostility among teens and fuel violence.

Leshik stated that Ukraine’s schools are overwhelmed and cannot handle this issue alone. She believes parents must closely monitor their children if they display unusually aggressive behavior. However, she also noted that displaced families or those who have lost loved ones often lack the capacity to do so. She stressed that when an entire generation grows up traumatized by war, adolescent bullying must not be tolerated.

"If a young person assaults someone in a group setting, and others watch—or even film—it, who the aggressor is and who the victim is becomes very clear," Leshik said.

Source: DW

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1864277632894986/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.