The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) released a report in May 2024 revealing that nearly 2,000 children in Ukraine have been killed or injured in the ongoing war, with the actual number likely being higher. Russia’s escalated attacks in the Kharkiv region have led to several child casualties. The region has been heavily targeted in recent weeks, resulting in numerous civilian deaths and destruction of infrastructure. Additionally, attacks have been reported in Donetsk and Sumy regions, causing further damage to homes and civilian structures. In April alone, over 700 civilian casualties and 47 attacks on energy infrastructure were documented across Ukraine.
The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine continues to worsen as the war persists. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported in January 2024 that more than 14.6 million people, about 40% of Ukraine’s population, require humanitarian assistance. Four million people, including nearly one million children, are displaced within the country, while over 6.3 million refugees are spread across the globe. Save the Children estimates that 2.9 million children in Ukraine are in critical need of aid. The toll of the war on civilians has been devastating, with over 10,000 civilians killed since Russia’s full-scale armed attack began, according to U.N. data from November 2023.
UNICEF’s Regional Director in Europe and Central Asia, Regina De Dominicis, revealed that nearly 2,000 children in Ukraine have been killed or injured since the war escalated over two years ago, equating to an average of two child casualties daily. The ongoing conflict has had a profound impact on the mental health and well-being of Ukrainian children, with many reporting trouble sleeping and intrusive thoughts and flashbacks. Half of teenagers are experiencing difficulties in getting an education, with nearly a million children unable to access any in-person learning due to insecurity. UNICEF assisted 1.3 million children in 2023 with formal and non-formal learning opportunities and 2.5 million children and caregivers with mental health and psychosocial support, with these needs likely to increase as the war continues.
In March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova for their crimes against children during the war in Ukraine. Putin was accused of unlawful deportation and transfer of children from occupied areas to Russia, while Lvova-Belova faced similar charges. The U.N. Security Council held a closed-door session in February 2024 with Ukrainian children abducted during Russia’s invasion, but thousands remain in Russian captivity. Urgent action is required to address the dire situation facing children in Ukraine, with UNICEF stressing the need for safety, stability, access to education, child protection services, and psychosocial support. Ultimately, peace is the most crucial need for Ukraine’s children amidst the ongoing conflict.
