In the face of war, Ukrainian students refuse to let their future be defined by conflict. Amid these difficult times, initiatives that support education are more crucial than ever. One inspiring example is CLUST SPACE, a network of smart shelters that ensures students can continue learning even during air raid sirens and blackouts.
This remarkable project was initiated by Ruslan Tymofieiev, a Ukrainian investor, founder of venture builder CLUST, and managing partner at Adventures Lab, who knows firsthand how vital education is for building a stronger future. He shared his vision, the project’s progress, and upcoming goals.
The struggle for learning: education during the wartime
While Ukrainian businesses quickly rallied to support the military when the full-scale war began, the education sector faced devastating consequences. Teachers fled the country, over 900,000 children were displaced, and numerous schools found themselves in conflict zones or under occupation.
In September 2024, Dmytro Lubinets reported that 3,798 educational institutions had been damaged, with 365 reduced to rubble. Nearly one million students now rely on online learning, a system grappling with serious challenges. A 2024 Ministry of Education survey showed that 24% of students harbored doubts about Ukraine’s future, underscoring the emotional toll of war on the younger generation.
In Ukraine, ensuring student safety is now a legal requirement, all schools must have shelters. Yet this mandate is difficult to fulfill. While some schools have paused operations, others operate in challenging conditions. As of June 10, 2023, Kyiv’s inspection of 4,655 shelters revealed only 15% were fully compliant.
The situation has placed universities under financial pressure. Many students and faculty are scattered: some in occupied territories, some in safer areas, while others have relocated within Ukraine or gone abroad. Communication with some individuals has been disrupted. Meanwhile, despite budget cuts at the state level and reduced funding from student fees and business partnerships, the workload for educational institutions remains the same.
While online education is crucial, it still has limitations. Outdated teaching methods and frequent air raid alarms hinder learning, leaving students with gaps in knowledge. With many families moving their teenagers abroad for safety, Ukraine faces a long-term risk of losing talent and can lose its future workforce.
What change does the CLUST SPACE project aim to achieve?
CLUST SPACE, a charitable initiative led by Ruslan Tymofieiev and supported by the TYMOFIEIEV FOUNDATION, is transforming traditional university shelters in Ukraine. These innovative hubs combine safe spaces with functional coworking environments, enabling students to continue their education despite wartime disruptions. The key lies in their «smart» design, blending functionality, comfort, and safety.
Ruslan Tymofieiev underscores the connection between successful businesses and community well-being. By managing CLUST SPACE, CLUST demonstrates its commitment to corporate responsibility, ensuring effective operations, investor engagement, and contractor oversight.
Ruslan Tymofieiev highlighted that CLUST’s involvement in security initiatives related to education was not just a charitable act but a strategic effort to promote Ukraine’s future stability. Ruslan Tymofieiev asserted that if students could study without disruption, they would be more inclined to stay in Ukraine and contribute to its progress.
Smart shelter’s debut: CLUST SPACE KYIV’s first year of work
What started as an idea shared by Ruslan Tymofieiev at the Sikorsky Challenge turned into a remarkable achievement, CLUST SPACE KYIV. Chief architect Pavlo Peker and his team embraced the challenge, of developing a groundbreaking smart shelter from scratch. After five months of dedicated work and $415,000 in investment, the 600 m² space now stands proudly in the old book depository of the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute’s library. Designed to protect and support up to 500 people, the shelter includes essential safety features such as ventilation, armored glass, and an independent power supply. Its adaptable design hosts lectures, conferences, or co-working sessions. With restrooms, a shower, and an accessible toilet, the space welcomes everyone equally.
Even before its opening, CLUST SPACE KYIV inspired support from universities, ministries, and charitable organizations, all recognizing its potential to make a difference. Freedom Holding Corp. became the project’s main donor, joined by Lenovo, the Svichado Foundation, and the Usyk Foundation. Since opening on January 25, 2024, the shelter has welcomed 72,860 visitors and provided refuge during 626 air alarms. It has hosted 185 events and helped over 50 students defend their qualifications. Memorable highlights include President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit, Kyiv’s first university staff chess championship, and the III International Conference on Libraries Development. They emphasized the shelter’s role as a symbol of resilience and progress.
CLUST SPACE’s growth: choosing Dnipro as the second location
After completing the first shelter, Ruslan Tymofieiev’s team shifted focus to Ukraine’s eastern region, where stronger security measures are urgently needed. As Ruslan Tymofieiev explained, areas near the front line demand special attention. Oles Honchar Dnipro National University, which has been a refuge for displaced individuals since the full-scale invasion, was selected as the second shelter site.
The second smart shelter saw collaboration from Freedom Holding Corp., the Usyk Foundation, the Svichado Foundation, Lenovo, Epicenter, and MOAR TECH. CLUST SPACE DNIPRO was completed in four months for $350,000 and opened on February 5, 2025. The 550 m² space accommodates 350 people and offers ventilation, backup power, study spaces, a sports zone, meeting rooms, and video call pods. To improve comfort, the smart shelter is equipped with a cafeteria, restrooms, and shower facilities.
CLUST SPACE outlook: what’s next?
Driven by his mission to cultivate an intelligent and conscious society, Ruslan Tymofieiev is working to expand the project nationwide, starting with high-priority regions where security is critical. The team has designed a blueprint for CLUST SPACE ODESA in Odesa I. I. Mechnykov National University and is actively seeking partners to support the initiative.
Ruslan Tymofieiev believes that creating such spaces can encourage young people to remain in Ukraine, contributing their skills and talents to the country’s development.
