The number of children killed or hurt in Ukraine has shot up in the last three months. The United Nations (UN) groups report 222 children killed or injured from March to May—three times more than the 73 cases seen just before that. Fighting and bombs keep tearing apart daily life for young people across the country, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says.
April was especially bad. In that month alone, 97 kids were hurt or killed—the most in any month since June 2022. Regina De Dominicis from UNICEF says things are at a breaking point for children. Ongoing attacks destroy homes, schools, hospitals, and playgrounds, forcing families to leave and leaving kids without basics or support.
But there’s a new problem, too. Some children now get pulled into online groups or activities that push them into risky roles in the conflict. At least two boys died and one got wounded in these activities. Dozens of kids have been picked up by police, and a few have even gone to jail.
UNICEF wants all sides to stop using children in fighting and urges local leaders to treat them as victims, not criminals. The group is working with Ukrainian programs to give kids legal help and support, and to find better ways to keep them out of jail.
The message is simple: Ukraine’s children need protection and real help more than ever. Humanitarian workers, policymakers, and donors are being called on to step up and help defend their future.
