Russia’s deadly attacks on Ukrainians ‘just trying to live their lives’ must stop, says senior UN official

Standing in front of a bombed-out residential building in the city of Dnipro under constant Russian assault on Wednesday night, the top UN official in the country issued an impassioned but weary plea: stop the attacks.

Dozens of residents, including a child, were reported killed, and dozens more injured in last night’s bombing. As rescue efforts continue, the number of victims is expected to increase.

According to Ukrainian officials, nearly 700 Russian drones were launched earlier in the day and overnight, along with 19 additional ballistic and cruise missiles – many aimed at the capital Kyiv.

While Ukrainian air defenses shot down most of the drones and some missiles, the drones managed to penetrate residential buildings in Odesa, Kyiv and Dnipro. A 12-year-old boy was among those killed, and around 100 people were injured.

“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 comfort children frightened by the constant alarms and explosions.”

These kinds of attacks have become part of everyday life in communities far beyond the front lines. In cities like Dnipro, residents have endured heavy attacks over several nights, while in Odesa, attacks have become an almost daily threat.

“We should not be forced to count the number of civilian casualties every day,” the senior UN official added. “The cycle of violence against those who are just trying to live their lives must stop.”

Dramatic increase in risk to children

The lives of children in Ukraine have become much more dangerous in recent weeks. According to the latest verified data from the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, Child casualties increased by 65 percent in March alonewith 89 children killed or injured in attacks.

United Nations Children’s Agency (UNICEF) on Thursday confirmed that at least 3,452 children in Ukraine have been killed or injured since Russia’s massive offensive against Ukraine began in February 2022.

However, because these figures only include UN-verified cases, the true number is likely much higher.

During more than four years of war, children were forced to leave their homes several times. According to a recent UNICEF survey, one in three teenagers aged 15 to 19 reported moving at least twice, with safety concerns the most common reason for fleeing.

“No child is safe in this country,” said Anne-Claire Dufay, UNICEF Representative to Ukraine. “Children still live under the threat of attack wherever they are.”