UNICEF has reported that over a third of Ukraine’s children—approximately 2,589,900—remain displaced as the war enters its fifth year. This includes more than 791,000 children displaced within Ukraine and nearly 1,798,900 living as refugees abroad. The ongoing conflict continues to threaten their safety, with attacks on civilian areas following many of these children even after they have fled their homes.
Many children have been forced to move multiple times. A recent UNICEF survey found that one in three adolescents aged 15–19 has relocated at least twice, primarily due to safety concerns. Since the start of the war on 24 February 2022, bombardments, including intensified long-range strikes, have killed or injured over 3,200 children. Child casualties increased by 10% in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the third consecutive year of rising UN-verified casualties.
Critical services for children have been severely disrupted. More than 1,700 schools and other educational facilities have been damaged or destroyed, leaving one in three children unable to attend in-person schooling full-time. Attacks on energy infrastructure have also forced millions of children and families to endure extreme cold without heating, electricity, or water. Babies and young children face heightened risks of respiratory illnesses and hypothermia, while nearly 200 medical facilities were reported damaged or destroyed in 2025, hampering health services.
The prolonged conflict has also taken a significant toll on children’s mental health. Constant fear of attacks, extended periods in shelters, and social isolation have left many adolescents struggling emotionally. UNICEF surveys indicate that one in four adolescents aged 15–19 is losing hope for a future in Ukraine, highlighting the urgent need for safe spaces, stability, and access to essential services.
To respond to these challenges, UNICEF has been working both within Ukraine and in neighboring countries to provide life-saving assistance. Programs focus on access to safe water, healthcare, nutrition, education, child protection, and mental health and psychosocial support. UNICEF is also helping to repair and rehabilitate schools, health facilities, and water systems damaged by the conflict.
In 2025, UNICEF reached 7 million people, including 2.5 million children, with humanitarian support. Its recovery programming, conducted in partnership with national and local authorities, strengthened social services for approximately 9.8 million people across Ukraine. UNICEF emphasizes that obligations under international humanitarian law must be respected and that every child has the right to grow up safely, free from harm and without exception.
