Growing up with the sirens: The UN children’s rights envoy on the victims of the Ukrainian-Russian war

Yet children on both sides of the border continue to suffer from the Russian invasion.

In front of International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggressioncelebrated every year on June 4, UN News talk to Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed ConflictVanessa Frazier, following her recent visit to Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

He reflected on what he witnessed, the challenges facing children affected by war and the importance of protecting young people, wherever they live.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

UN News: You have just returned from Ukraine. What surprised you most about the impact of war on children and their families?

Vanessa Frazier: The war in Ukraine is very difficult. I was struck by several issues. First, children are disproportionately affected, especially when it comes to education.

The war started right after COVID, so kids had already had two years of online school, and many continued online school for another four years because they couldn’t attend school safely. For children to spend a total of six years attending school online was something that shocked me, as a mother.

At the same time, the efforts made by the Government of Ukraine and local authorities are supported by UNICEF and NGOs, it’s amazing. Underground schools and metro schools are wonderful projects designed to allow children to continue learning safely.

UN News: You also traveled to Russia. What is your main message to the Russian authorities regarding the protection of children in the context of this conflict?

Miss Frazier: When I went to Russia, I wore two hats. As Special Representative for Children and Armed ConflictI am talking specifically about six serious violations against children.

That The Russian armed forces were recorded as committing two serious violations: the murder and injury of children, as well as attacks on schools and hospitals. That Security Council The resolutions explaining our mandate are very clear that when a party to a conflict is listed, the only way that party can be removed from the list is to create a time-bound commitment plan with the UN to end and prevent serious violations against children.

These commitments must be verified by the UN as having been implemented.

I was also present there in connection with the General Assembly resolution adopted on December 3, 2025 regarding the missing children of Ukraine.

The resolution commits the Secretary-General’s good offices to coordinating UN agencies, working with the Russian Federation for the immediate and unconditional repatriation of such children, ensuring access to Ukrainian children wherever they are, and keeping member states engaged.

The Secretary General has decided that his good offices will be represented through my office. Because of that, while in Russia, I also held discussions about Ukraine’s missing children. I have access to some Ukrainian children in Russian territory, which is governed by the Russian Federation. We also visited the frontline city of Belgorod.

UN News: Can you share information about progress in the commitment process or implementation of the resolution?

Miss Frazier: The Russian Federation is very open to our discussions. There still needs to be negotiations on how we will agree on the commitments that need to be implemented. The Russian Federation has indeed unilaterally offered a series of commitments that it is willing to implement, and this is a positive thing.

Regarding the missing Ukrainian children, I had a fruitful discussion with the Children’s Commissioner. We must continue these negotiations. This is an individual case, and all decisions must be made in the best interests of the child.

UN News: Typically, the UN cannot independently verify the full impact of the conflict in Russia, but you can visit a frontline city. What concerns are you hearing there?

Miss Frazier: This is not a verification mission, which must be carried out under very strict conditions. But it’s still very important to be there and have access.

In Belgorod, I visited schools, kindergartens, sports centers and children’s hospitals. At the hospital, doctors explained the types of injuries they treated and talked about the deaths they had experienced.

This is war, and when there is war, there are casualties on all sides. Based on our mandate, we do not differentiate between perpetrators and defenders. For us, children are killed as a result of war, wherever they are.

UN News: In Ukraine, children now spend years living with frequent sirens, displacement and uncertainty. What are your concerns about the psychosocial impact?

Miss Frazier: I visited the front line areas, and the conditions on the Ukrainian side were more dangerous. I traveled not only to Kharkiv but also to the town of Zolochiv, which was located closest to the front line.

Kharkiv benefits from extensive underground infrastructure, including former Soviet-era shelters and a large metro station. I visited a school operating in a metro station.

It was great to see the kids interacting again. Social interactions are essential for psychosocial and mental well-being. In Kharkiv, sirens sound constantly, making above-ground schools impractical. At Zolochiv, children continue to attend school online but can attend child-friendly rooms at the shelter after classes. Supported by UNICEF and donor countries, these spaces provide psychologists, art therapy, sports activities and mine awareness lessons.

I met some kids there. A 12 year old girl told me that two days earlier she was sitting at her desk doing online school. He got up to get a glass of water, and moments later the area where he was sitting was hit.

He understood that if he stayed at his desk, he wouldn’t be there to talk to us. It’s a very impactful story, and there are hundreds of others like it.

UN News: Are there certain groups of children who are particularly vulnerable?

Miss Frazier: Children with disabilities have always been more vulnerable. However, I was very impressed with the projects I saw in Ukraine because they were completely accessible.

Considering the large number of children who have become disabled as a result of conflict, the number of children with disabilities has also increased. Across our mandate, we advocate that accessibility be fully integrated into reconstruction efforts. I see great attention being paid to this issue in Ukraine.

UN News: Do you see opportunities for humanitarian cooperation between the two sides, especially on issues affecting children?

Miss Frazier: During my visit to Belgorod, I was reminded of how close this region is to Kharkiv.

Before the war, people moved between the two cities regularly. For some Belgorod residents, it is easier to obtain certain services or goods in Kharkiv than in Moscow.

I also visited an Orthodox church and spoke with a priest who described how intertwined families are across the border. Many Belgorodians married Kharkivians. You can feel his sadness. This is not a conflict between distant populations; it involves communities that are culturally and personally close to each other.

UN News: Has enough been done to make child protection central to war-related efforts?

Miss Frazier: In Ukraine, we have a joint protection plan and it has proven successful.

Although attacks continue, the number of child victims we are experiencing is not as high as we might expect.

That was because his protection plan worked. This should serve as an example for similar situations elsewhere. Ukrainian authorities take child protection seriously.

In Belgorod, I also saw protective measures in schools, kindergartens and hospitals. Schools are covered with anti-drone netting, windows are lined with shatterproof film, and shelters are stocked with food and water. There is concern on both sides to protect their own children. What we need to emphasize more is protecting each other’s children.

We are very concerned about weapons such as cluster munitions and land mineswhich caused many civilian casualties, including among children.

UN News: What steps would you like to see from the international community to better protect children affected by war?

Miss Frazier: Greater support for education is essential. Many donor countries have taken action, which is encouraging. Education is a top priority during our mandate because it helps children overcome trauma and provides a sense of normalcy.

Children should not have to choose between safety and education. The more underground schools that can be established, the better. Education is also important for recovery and building lasting peace. Today’s children will be the leaders of tomorrow, and they will be responsible for maintaining peace.

This is a war that should not happen. I echo the Secretary-General’s call for a ceasefire and a negotiated solution.

Children suffer the adverse consequences of decisions made by adults. We see this in every conflict, especially in full-scale wars like this. This must be stopped as soon as possible. This should never have started.

Listen to the interview on SoundCloud: