More than 680 children have been killed in Ukraine as a result of Russia’s full-scale aggression
First Lady Olena Zelenska, speaking online at special debates of the European Economic and Social Committee, presented tragic statistics on the impact of the war on Ukraine’s youngest citizens.
This was reported by the Office of the President of Ukraine.
Over four years of the full-scale invasion, Russia has taken the lives of 684 children, while more than 2,000 others have sustained injuries of varying severity. The President’s wife stressed that even medical facilities are no longer safe zones, as the aggressor has deliberately damaged more than 800 hospitals across the country.
Particular attention in her speech was given to the fate of abducted children who are currently in Russia. Olena Zelenska expressed gratitude to Ursula von der Leyen for organising an international summit in Brussels dedicated to the return of deported minors. As most of the abducted Ukrainian children remain in the hands of the occupiers, Ukraine and its partners are seeking new mechanisms to secure their swift release and safe repatriation.
Despite constant shelling, the state continues to expand its protection network: underground schools are being built, modern shelters are being equipped, and psychological rehabilitation programmes are being implemented under the nationwide mental health initiative. The First Lady called on the European community not only to discuss the challenges but also to take an active financial and humanitarian role in the projects of her foundation. Against the backdrop of cynical propaganda claims by Russia about allegedly “saving” children, Ukraine is demonstrating concrete efforts to preserve the lives and future of an entire generation forced to spend its childhood in shelters.
It is worth recalling that in 2025 the number of civilian casualties in Ukraine increased by 26%. The United Nations has confirmed that since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, more than 15,000 civilians have been killed. According to the organisation, over 41,000 civilians have also been injured as a result of hostilities. The UN notes that the real figures may be higher, as verification of information from areas of active fighting is ongoing.
