Russia’s war in Ukraine claims two lives of children daily, with nearly 2,000 killed or injured – UNICEF

Since the full-scale Russian invasion began on February 24, 2022, at least 1,993 children in Ukraine have tragically lost their lives or sustained injuries. The UN has been able to verify these numbers, but UNICEF suspects that the actual count is likely far greater.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported this.

"As we see in all wars, reckless decisions and actions by adults cost children their lives, safety, and futures," the report said.

It is noted that, on average, two children become victims of the war in Ukraine every day. At the same time, UNICEF emphasizes that the actual number of victims is probably much higher.

"In addition to the killing of children and the physical harm caused by the war, many children throughout Ukraine have experienced loss and violence that has harmed their mental health and well-being. Half of teenagers report sleep problems, and one in five have intrusive thoughts and memories," the report says.

UNICEF added that almost half of the children who study in schools in Ukraine do not attend full-time education, and nearly a million children throughout the country do not have access to full-time education at all due to danger.

"UNICEF continues to call for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and the protection of all children from harm. Ukrainian children urgently need safety, stability, access to safe education, child protection services, and psychosocial support. Above all, the children of Ukraine need peace," the UN Children's Fund emphasized.

As Rubryka previously reported, this year the number of children who died as a result of Russian attacks across Ukraine increased by almost 40% compared to last year.

According to UN-verified data, 25 children died as a result of the attacks from January 1 to March 31, 2024; the youngest was only two months old; nine children were killed in attacks during the first three weeks of April.

According to official UN data, since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, at least 600 children have died as a result of enemy attacks. More than 1,350 children were injured.