On September 1, as children were set to return to school, Kyiv was hit by a barrage of Russian drone and missile strikes, injuring three people and damaging schools and kindergartens. The attacks, which included 35 missiles and 26 drones, occurred just before a day typically celebrated for its academic festivities. Despite the chaos, parents and teachers attempted to maintain a sense of normalcy for the students, though many expressed fears and anxieties about the ongoing war. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted numerous missiles, but debris caused injuries and damage across the city. The conflict shows no signs of de-escalation, with both Russia and Ukraine pursuing aggressive military offensives, continuing the 900-day war. Russian President Putin downplayed Ukraine's military actions, asserting that they have not hindered Russian advances in the Donbas region.