Five children killed in their homes as deadly airstrikes hit Kyiv
1 August 2025Five children were killed in their homes during the latest airstrikes on Kyiv. Plan International is deeply saddened by the devastating loss of life following the drone and missile strikes on Kyiv in the early hours of July 31, 2025. This was one of the most lethal attacks on the Ukrainian capital in recent months, and the consequences for children and their families are staggering.
According to official figures, 31 civilians were killed, including 5 children, and 159 people were injured, among them 16 children. This is the highest number of children injured in a single strike on the Ukrainian capital since the full-scale war began in 2022. The youngest child killed was just two-years-old.
“Behind these numbers are families torn apart, children who will not return to school and young survivors facing unimaginable physical and psychological trauma” says Yaroslava Tarasenko, Plan International’s Head of Advocacy & Policy for the Ukraine Response. “Communities are once again plunged into grief and fear as the war’s toll on civilians deepens.”
Children repeatedly exposed to violence
“As an organisation working to protect children in crises we are gravely concerned by the repeated exposure of children in Ukraine to violence, displacement, and deep emotional distress. Every day that this war continues, children’s safety, wellbeing, and future are under threat”, Tarasenko added.
International humanitarian law clearly protects civilians, particularly children, in armed conflict. Yet, these safeguards keep being eroded. Attacks that result in the deaths and injury of children must never be normalized, excused or ignored.
We continue to support partners in Ukraine to provide life-saving assistance – including mental health and psychosocial support, education, and safe spaces for children – and to advocate for stronger protection of children in conflict everywhere.
We call for urgent and sustained action to protect children and civilians in Ukraine. All attacks on civilian infrastructure and population centres must cease immediately, and international humanitarian and human rights law — particularly the rights of children — must be upheld without exception. Children should never be the targets of war.
Categories: Emergencies
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