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Remembering Children Affected by War

04 June 2025

According to the decision of the UN General Assembly on August 19, 1982, every year on June 4, the International Day of Innocent Children - Victims of Aggression is observed.

By the resolution of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine dated June 1, 2021, No. 1490-IX, June 4 is recognized as the Day of Remembrance for Children who died as a result of military aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

Since 2014, due to military aggression, Ukrainian families and children have been in constant danger, sustaining injuries and, most tragically, losing their lives.

According to the state portal “Children of War,” as of June 4, 2025, the Office of the Prosecutor General reported 1975 cases of children injured and 631 cases of children killed due to the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. However, these figures are likely incomplete due to ongoing hostilities and temporary occupation of parts of Ukraine.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, 12 children have died in the Odesa region due to enemy shelling, 9 of whom were in Odesa.

Every child's memory is sacred.

We are called to keep it in our hearts, in prayer and love, so that we never lose the ability to empathize and do not remain silent in the face of evil.

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Events to honor the memory of young Ukrainians whose lives have been taken by war take place as part of the annual “Voices of Children” campaign initiated by First Lady Olena Zelenska.