Standing in front of a bombed-out residential building in the city of Dnipro, which has come under sustained Russian attacks late Wednesday night, the top U.N. official in the country issued an impassioned but weary appeal: Stop the attacks.
A dozen residents, including a child, were reported killed, while several were injured There were bomb blasts throughout the night. The death toll is expected to increase as rescue efforts continue.
According to Ukrainian officials, about 700 Russian drones were launched over the previous day and night, as well as 19 ballistic missiles and additional cruise missiles – many of which were aimed at the capital Kiev.
While Ukrainian air defense shot down most of the drones and several missiles, which hit residential buildings in Odessa, Kiev and Dnipro. A 12-year-old boy was among those killed and about 100 people were injured..
“Once again,” said Mr. Schmale, “Families have seen their homes damaged or destroyed in an instant. Others spent the night in shelters or huddled at home, trying to console children frightened by the constant alarms and explosions.
Such attacks have become part of everyday life for communities far from the immediate front lines. In cities such as Dnipro, residents have faced intense attacks on several nights, while in Odessa, attacks have become an almost daily threat.
“We should not be forced to count the number of citizens every day,” the senior UN official said. “This cycle of violence against people who are just trying to live their lives must stop.”
Dramatic increase in risks for children
Life for children in Ukraine has become increasingly dangerous in recent weeks. According to the latest verified data from the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, Child mortality increased by 65 percent in March alone89 children were killed or injured in the attacks.
United Nations children’s agency (UNICEF) on Thursday Confirmed At least 3,452 children have been killed or injured in Ukraine since full-scale Russian attacks on Ukraine began in February 2022.
However, since these figures are only from UN-verified cases, the real number is likely much higher.
During more than four years of war, children have been forced to flee their homes on several occasions. According to a recent UNICEF survey, one in three teenagers aged 15 to 19 reported running away at least twice, citing safety as the most common reason for running away.
“No child is safe in the countrysaid Anne-Claire Dufay, UNICEF representative in Ukraine. “Children still live under constant threat of attacks wherever they are.”
