Mariupol's first Ukrainian-language school, Specialised School No. 66, has suffered significant destruction, with 70% of its structure obliterated due to an aerial bomb in March 2022. Despite being a flagship educational institution known for its modern teaching methods and a major renovation in 2018, the school has yet to be rebuilt by Russian authorities. This destruction is part of a broader damage to the city’s educational infrastructure, where a total of 54 schools were impacted during the same period, representing about 90% of Mariupol's educational institutions.

The school, established in 1993, was recognized as one of the best in Donetsk Oblast before the conflict, marking it as a crucial center for Ukrainian-language education in the region. In the wake of the invasion, the destruction of such institutions highlights the severe challenges faced by the local community and the value placed on Ukrainian language and education by its residents. As Mariupol continues to grapple with the consequences of war, the fate of School No. 66 exemplifies the ongoing cultural and educational losses being experienced.

Local authorities, now operating in exile, report that the school remains unrepaired, which underscores the difficulties of rebuilding in conflict zones. The situation at School No. 66 is a poignant reminder not only of the material loss but also of the broader implications for cultural identity and education access in wartime Ukraine. The resilience of the community in preserving its language and educational traditions, even in the face of extensive destruction, remains a vital aspect of Mariupol's narrative.