KHARKIV, Ukraine (Reuters) -Ukrainian parents, keen to have their children attend normal classes more than three years after the full-scale invasion by Russia, started the school year on Monday by sending their children underground.

Some 17,000 children in Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, a frequent target of Russian attacks, are attending schools set up underground. Seven such schools are in operation, and more are set to open soon.

“Today, my child, a first grader, came to school for the first time, an underground school, the nearest school to Northern Saltivka,” said Anastasia Pochergina, referring to a suburb of the city often subject to Russian attacks.

“The school is three floors down, and we were told it is the deepest school in Kharkiv. That’s why I believe it is safe. We

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