UNICEF reports number of children killed and injured during war in Ukraine
The number of child casualties in 2024 more than doubled compared to the previous year.
Since February 2022, more than 2,520 children in Ukraine have been killed or injured, UNICEF reported on February 21, 2025, ahead of the third anniversary of the full-scale war in Ukraine.
It was noted that among them, 669 children were killed, and 1,854 were injured.
“The true number is likely far higher, as these figures account only for child casualties verified by the UN,” the statement said.
Over the past three years, more than 1,600 educational institutions and nearly 790 medical facilities have been damaged or destroyed.
Additionally, according to UNICEF's survey data, one in five children in Ukraine has lost a close relative or friend over these three years.
“For far too long, death and destruction have remained a constant in the lives of children in Ukraine,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “This level of violence causes immense fear and suffering and disrupts every aspect of a child’s life.”
At the same time, the number of child casualties in 2024 increased by more than 50% compared to 2023.
As a result of the war, children and adolescents have faced enormous losses and deprivation, affecting their development and well-being at critical stages of their lives.
“Experiences during the first three years of life influence children’s lifelong health and learning. Yet three-year-olds in Ukraine have only known war,” the organization stated.
UNICEF also drew attention to teenagers, nearly one-third of whom reported experiencing such intense feelings of despair and hopelessness that they stopped engaging in daily activities.
Mental health challenges for children and young people in Ukraine are worsening due to isolation. Many children consistently spend hours sheltering in basements, missing opportunities to socialize and learn.
“Children must always be protected from the impacts of war in accordance with international humanitarian and human rights law,” said Russell. “More than anything, children in Ukraine need sustained peace, and the chance to realize their full potential.”
Earlier, the UOJ reported that His Beatitude Onuphry prayed for the defenders in Feofania and for all those who have innocently perished during the war.
