Voice of Ukraine

From Maia Mikhaluk in Kyiv (463rd day):

June 1 is traditionally recognized in Ukraine as a Children’s Day or Day of Children’s Protection. It used to be a happy day that signaled the start of three months long summer break – time of summer fun, family vacations and hanging out with friends.

In 2023 June 1 started with another terrorist attack on Kyiv that ended the life of a 9-year-old girl who was trying to get to a bomb shelter together with her mom at 3am when the air raid started. This 9-year-old is one of 502 Ukrainian kids known to be killed by ruzzian invasion. The number is probably, unfortunately, much higher since we are yet to find out of horrible atrocities that are happening in occupied territories. Close to 1000 kids have been injured, according to official statistics.

Thousands of kids are kidnapped and deported by force to ruzzia. Few of them are being returned. There was news yesterday about 371 kids returning to Ukraine. Compared to the most conservative estimates, it’s a small number – since over 19,000 kids were deported.

Our kids needed protection than ever for the past 463 days – protection from the trauma of ongoing air raids and from losing homes, friends, and families, protection from bombings and unspeakable crimes committed against children by invaders in occupied territories. They need protection from having to live in a state of danger, uncertainty, and tension;, from being woken at night by explosions, and having to rush from their classroom to bomb shelter during the day.

May Children’s Day next year be celebrated in peaceful and free Ukraine! As the night is approaching, we are hoping the enemy will not be able to strike missiles again tonight.