Deadly Russian strikes on Ukrainians ‘simply trying to live their lives’ must stop, says senior UN official

This article is published in association with United Nations.

The latest wave of Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians in Dnipro, Kyiv and Odesa, which killed and injured scores of civilians, was roundly condemned by Matthias Schmale, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the country.

Standing in front of a bombed-out residential building in the city of Dnipro which came under a sustained attack from Russian strikes late Wednesday night, the top UN official in the country issued an impassioned yet weary plea: stop the attacks.

A dozen residents, including a child, were reported killed, with scores more injured in the overnight bombings. With rescue efforts ongoing, the toll is expected to rise.

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

Whilst Ukrainian air defences shot down the vast majority of the drones and several missiles, those that got through hit residential buildings in Odesa, Kyiv and Dnipro. A 12-year-old boy was among those killed, and around 100 people were injured.

“Once more,” said Mr. Schmale, “families have seen their homes damaged or destroyed in an instant. Others have spent the night in shelters or huddled at home, trying to comfort children terrified by the relentless alarms and blasts.”

Such attacks have become part of everyday life for communities far beyond the immediate front line. In cities like Dnipro, residents have endured several nights of intense attacks, while in Odesa, strikes have become a near-daily threat.

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

Dramatic rise in risks to children

Life for children in Ukraine has become markedly 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 per cent in March alone, with 89 children killed or injured in attacks.

The UN children’s agency (UNICEF) on Thursday confirmed that at least 3,452 children in Ukraine have been killed or injured since the full-scale Russian attack on Ukraine began in February 2022. 

However, as these figures only account for UN-verified cases, the true number is likely to be considerably higher.

During more than four years of war, children have been forced to flee their homes on multiple occasions. According to a recent UNICEF survey, one in three adolescents aged 15 to 19 reported moving at least twice, citing safety as the most common reason for fleeing. 

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