Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, at least 487 children have been killed and 954 children have been injured, with the use of explosive weapons causing the most casualties, according to United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
These numbers are gross undercounts, said James Elder, global spokesperson of the UN agency, adding that the true numbers are far greater.
The war has pushed children into poverty, subjected them to great trauma and deprived them of education, Elder told CNN.
Elder described students studying in bunkers while they shelter from possible attacks.
However, “most school shelters cannot fit the numbers of students enrolled in the school, so many children have to still do online classes,” which is hard given the state of conflict has made electricity supply and internet service unreliable, Elder said. “Bunkers are basically basements or something below ground. They offer protection from artillery, but it’s cold, sad and difficult.”
Remember: In September, as schools prepared to open their doors, many educators were grappling with the fact that they don’t have the ability to provide safety to students or peace of mind to parents, should their schools come under attack.
“Our schools are not designed to be used as defensive facilities,” Serhii Horbachov, Ukraine’s education ombudsman, told CNN.
Four months after the invasion began, UNICEF had tried to restart schools in bunkers to ensure children could use bathrooms, have areas of play and could receive education, Elder said.
UNICEF told CNN it has completed the rehabilitation of 16 school shelters and plans to complete another 80 by July 2023.
With previous reporting from CNN’s Tara John and Maria Kostenko
