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While the war in Ukraine continues, the youth remain resilient. Faced with uncertainty, they push forward, and education plays a key role in their determination. But now students can enter CLUST SPACE: a network of smart shelters for safe studying, even during air raids and power outages.
This impactful initiative was created by Ruslan Tymofieiev, a Ukrainian investor, founder of CLUST, and managing partner at Adventures Lab. With a decade of business experience, Ruslan Tymofieiev knows the power of knowledge. He revealed what drove this project, shared its progress, and discussed what lies ahead.
The impact of war on Ukrainian students’ education
From the first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian businesses have supported the nation, with initial efforts focused on the army. However, the education sector has also faced severe disruption. Thousands of teachers left the country, over 900,000 children became displaced, and many educational institutions ended up in war-affected or occupied zones.
By September 2024, Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s Commissioner for Human Rights, reported that 3,798 educational institutions had suffered damage from shelling, with 365 destroyed. Nearly one million students now study online, straining the education system. According to a Ministry of Education survey that year, 24% of students expressed concern about Ukraine’s future.
Ukrainian law requires all educational institutions to have shelters. However, many schools face difficulties meeting this requirement. Some have been forced to close, while others operate with inadequate shelter conditions. As of June 10, 2023, Kyiv’s Special Commission assessed 4,655 shelters, finding only 15% fully compliant.
Online learning also struggles due to unrefined teaching methods and frequent air raid alarms, which disrupt lessons and leave students with knowledge gaps. Many parents are choosing to move their teenagers abroad for safety, further destabilizing the education system and risking a future shortage of skilled professionals.
CLUST SPACE: defining its primary goal
Supported by the TYMOFIEIEV FOUNDATION, CLUST SPACE is a charitable project that establishes educational hubs in Ukrainian universities. These spaces merge shelter facilities with coworking features with three priorities: functionality, comfort, and safety. Unlike traditional shelters, CLUST SPACE enables students to attend lectures and study effectively during air raid alarms.
Ruslan Tymofieiev emphasizes that investing in social initiatives benefits communities and enhances business success and economic stability. CLUST leads the project’s development, overseeing operations, investor engagement, and contractor management as part of its corporate social responsibility strategy.
Ruslan Tymofieiev remarked that he and CLUST view their support for educational security initiatives as a strategic decision rather than a simple charity. He thinks that by providing stable learning environments for students, Ukraine could develop a strong workforce that would remain in the country instead of seeking opportunities abroad.
Ruslan Tymofieiev also pointed out that his involvement in the global market has demonstrated the impressive capabilities of Ukrainian specialists. They frequently outperform international peers regarding education, accountability, creativity, and initiative. Ruslan Tymofieiev stressed that we should invest in education and modern infrastructure to secure this advantage.
The CLUST SPACE KYIV smart shelter: reflecting on its first year
The CLUST SPACE project is a bold innovation introduced by Ruslan Tymofieiev at the Sikorsky Challenge. Chief architect Pavlo Peker underscored that the smart shelter concept was completely new, developed from scratch. With a $415,000 investment and five months of effort, CLUST SPACE KYIV transformed a 600 m² book depository at the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute into a cutting-edge space. Designed for versatility, the smart shelter accommodates up to 500 people and features a robust ventilation system, armored glass, acoustic panels, and autonomous power. Its multifunctional design allows it to serve as a lecture hall, conference room, or co-working space. The facility also includes restrooms, a shower, and an accessible toilet.
CLUST SPACE KYIV drew attention from educational institutions, government agencies, and charitable foundations long before its grand opening. Freedom Holding Corp. stepped in as the main sponsor, with additional contributions from Lenovo, the Svichado Foundation, and the Usyk Foundation. Since opening on January 25, 2024, the shelter has provided safety for 72,860 visitors during 626 air alarms. According to Ruslan Tymofieiev, it has hosted 185 events and witnessed over 50 qualification defenses. The smart shelter has also welcomed notable guests, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and hosted significant events like Kyiv’s first university staff chess championship and the III International Conference on Libraries Development.
Why Dnipro became a priority for CLUST SPACE
Ruslan Tymofieiev stated that CLUST SPACE is not just a one-time solution for education during wartime, but an ongoing effort focused on enhancing student development. He noted that the project effectively meets societal demands and offers a scalable security solution suitable for other regions of Ukraine and beyond. Therefore, after finishing their first project, Ruslan Tymofieiev’s team began work on a second shelter.
Due to the eastern region’s proximity to the front line, Ruslan Tymofieiev emphasized the need for heightened security efforts. Oles Honchar Dnipro National University, which has housed many displaced individuals since the invasion began, was chosen as the next shelter location.
Key partners like Freedom Holding Corp., the Usyk Foundation, the Svichado Foundation, Lenovo, Epicenter, and MOAR TECH supported the initiative. CLUST SPACE DNIPRO opened on February 5, 2025, after four months of construction costing $350,000. The 550 m² space can accommodate 350 people and features ventilation, backup power, study zones, sports areas, meeting rooms, and video call booths. Facilities such as a cafeteria, restrooms, and showers were added for improved comfort.
Looking ahead: the project’s future
Ruslan Tymofieiev envisions a smarter, more conscious society and is working to expand the project nationwide, prioritizing areas where security concerns are greatest. Plans for CLUST SPACE ODESA are underway, and the team is seeking partners to support the project. Ruslan Tymofieiev believes initiatives like this can encourage young people to stay in Ukraine and build their future at home.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
