Dead and injured among the children
The Ukrainian Prosecutor’s Office today published alarming data on the impact of Russian military aggression in Ukraine on children. According to these data, at least 546 children have lost their lives and 1,319 have been injured in various ways since the start of the aggression on February 24, 2022. These figures are shocking and highlight the cruelty of this conflict.
The most recent victims occurred this Thursday, according to the prosecutor’s office. In the Donetsk region, a 12-year-old girl was killed in a Russian Grad rocket attack on the town of Memrik. In the town of Dergachi, in the north-eastern region of Kharkiv, eight minors between the ages of 8 and 15 were injured in a Russian attack.
Registration of cases by region
The largest number of minors killed and injured so far has been recorded in the Donetsk region, with 530 cases. The second province with the most cases is Kharkiv, with 356 children killed or injured. In addition, cases have also been recorded in Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, Zaporizhia and Mykolajiv, with more than a hundred minors killed or injured in each of these regions.
Increase in the number of minor deaths
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that the number of children killed due to airstrikes in the framework of the war in Ukraine has increased by almost 40% during 2024 compared to the year previous According to the data, between January 1 and March 31, 25 children have lost their lives due to these attacks.
Negotiations for the return of minors
Representatives of Moscow and Kyiv have met for the first time in Qatar to discuss the return of children separated from their families because of the war in Ukraine. These negotiations have been mediated by Qatar and aim to help families who wish to be reunited. This is an important initiative for the reconciliation and reunion of families affected by this conflict.
Arrest warrants for Lvova-Belova and Putin
The Commissioner for the Rights of the Child in Russia, María Lvova-Belova, and the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, have arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). They are accused of the illegal deportation of children and their transfer from the occupied areas of Ukraine to the territory of Russia, which constitutes a war crime. These arrest warrants are an important step for justice and accountability.
Possible peace talks
Despite the conflict situation, there are rumors about the possibility of peace talks. Next month, Switzerland will host an international summit to address this issue. However, Western supporters of Ukraine are skeptical about the willingness of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has shown little respect for the rule of law and international norms, to engage in dialogue. Russia has not been invited to this summit organized by Switzerland.
In short, Russian military aggression in Ukraine has had a tragic impact on children, with hundreds killed and injured. A peaceful solution to this conflict is urgently needed to ensure the safety and well-being of Ukrainian children.
