A senior United Nations official has issued a stark appeal to halt the relentless Russian strikes on Ukraine, following a devastating attack on the city of Dnipro. Standing before a heavily damaged residential building, the official expressed the urgent need for an end to the violence that is impacting civilians simply trying to live their lives.
The overnight bombings on Wednesday resulted in the deaths of at least a dozen residents, including a child, with many more injured. Rescue operations are ongoing, and the casualty figures are anticipated to rise.
Ukrainian authorities reported that nearly 700 Russian drones, 19 ballistic missiles, and additional cruise missiles were deployed in the preceding day and overnight, with many targeting the capital, Kyiv. Despite successful interception of most aerial threats by Ukrainian air defenses, some projectiles breached defenses, striking residential areas in Odesa, Kyiv, and Dnipro. Among the fatalities was a 12-year-old boy, and approximately 100 people sustained injuries.
“Once more, families have seen their homes damaged or destroyed in an instant,” stated the UN official. “Others have spent the night in shelters or huddled at home, trying to comfort children terrified by the relentless alarms and blasts.”
These attacks have become a grim reality for communities far from the front lines. Cities like Dnipro have experienced multiple nights of intense bombardment, while Odesa faces near-daily threats.
“We should not be forced to count the civilian toll every day,” the official added. “This cycle of violence against those who are simply trying to live their lives must stop.”
Children Face Escalating Risks Amidst Attacks
Recent weeks have seen a significant increase in the dangers faced by children in Ukraine. Verified data from the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission to Ukraine indicates a 65% surge in child casualties during March alone, with 89 children killed or injured in attacks.
UNICEF confirmed on Thursday that at least 3,452 children have been killed or injured in Ukraine since the full-scale Russian invasion began in February 2022. This figure represents only UN-verified cases, suggesting the actual number is considerably higher.
Throughout the prolonged conflict, children have been repeatedly displaced. A recent UNICEF survey revealed that one in three adolescents aged 15 to 19 has relocated at least twice, primarily due to safety concerns.
“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.”
