The number of teenage victims of bullying is rising in Ukrainian schools, with experts attributing the trend to war trauma and chronic stress among adolescents. Videos of physical and psychological violence are increasingly circulating on Telegram, TikTok, and other platforms.
In one such video, a boy with tears in his eyes stands passively while classmates take turns punching him in the face, as others laugh and film the scene. Education official Nadiya Leshik says such incidents reflect a growing but underestimated problem.
“At the start of the war, we were all preoccupied with other things,” Leshik said. “But since then, we’ve seen a steady rise in the number of cases of violence.” She notes that minors are particularly affected by the consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“When young people hear an explosion, it affects them psychologically,” she explained, adding that anxiety disorders and depression have increased dramatically among teenagers. A study by the Mindset research institute found that 75% of Ukrainian students suffer from stress symptoms.
Researchers emphasize that teenagers react differently to stress: some withdraw, while others become aggressive and seek to boost self-esteem by belittling others. “Some of them have experienced trauma themselves and now want to act like alpha males at the expense of others,” said 14-year-old student David.
15-year-old Jana, who was bullied after fleeing her village and starting at a new school, stopped attending classes altogether. Authorities are now actively addressing the problem, with police teams regularly visiting schools to discuss safety and bullying.
Police officer Yana Vitalievna notes that cyberbullying is now prevalent. After years of war and distance learning, many children have smartphones with apps warning of Russian attacks. Leshik claims Russian authorities are exploiting their vulnerability through massive propaganda campaigns on social media aimed at making children aggressive.
The Ukrainian government has also warned that Russian intelligence agents are active in Telegram groups used by young Ukrainians, inciting violence. Leshik says schools are overwhelmed and need parental support. “If a teenager hits another person in a group and others watch or film it, it’s very clear who the perpetrator is and who the victim is,” she concluded.
Source: www.dw.com