Childhood stolen by war: Ukraine honors the memory of fallen children

On June 4, Ukraine honors the memory of children who died as a result of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation.

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the relevant resolution on June 1, 2021.

It is also on June 4 that the world marks the International Day of the Innocent Victims of Aggression, established by the UN General Assembly in 1982. This day emphasizes the commitment of the international community to protect the rights and lives of children in armed conflict.

For more than eleven years, Russia has been waging war against Ukraine. And every day the enemy commits crimes against Ukrainian children – by kidnapping and illegally taking them to the temporarily occupied territories and to Russia, destroying infrastructure, harming and killing them.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the number of child casualties has been steadily increasing. Due to active hostilities and the temporary occupation of some territories, the final number of dead and wounded cannot be determined at this time.

According to official data from juvenile prosecutors, as of the end of May 2025, at least 2,590 children have suffered as a result of Russia's armed aggression: 630 were killed and more than 1,960 were injured.

Every loss is a deep wound for Ukrainian society. This is a pain that does not disappear. The Day of Remembrance of the Fallen Children is not only a tribute to those whose lives were broken by the war, but also a strong reminder to the world: Russia must face responsibility for war crimes against Ukrainian children and humanity.

The Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine expresses its sincere solidarity with the families of the killed and injured children.

International Department