Key points
- The UN has recorded a 105% increase in crimes against Ukrainian children by Russia.
- Ukraine called for sanctions against Russia and other states that systematically violate children's rights, as well as the creation of a blacklist of those responsible and a compensation fund for child victims.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has recorded a sharp increase in the number of gross violations of children's rights by Russia during its armed aggression against Ukraine. The terrorist country's army has once again found itself on the “list of shame.”
This is noted in Guterres' annual report “Children and Armed Conflict”, which the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba presented at a meeting of the UN Security Council. This was reported by 24 Kanal with reference to Ukrinform.
Russia's Violence Against Children Up 105%
The most violations have been recorded in the last year since they began to be recorded. The increase is 105%.
It is noted that the largest number of such cases are in Lebanon (545%), Mozambique (525%), Haiti (490%) and Ethiopia (235%).
I am deeply concerned about the sharp increase in grave violations against children in Ukraine, in particular the killing and maiming of children, as well as attacks on schools and hospitals, the Secretary General said.
During 2024-2025, the UN documented 94 killings and 577 injuries of children, as well as 559 attacks on schools and 303 on hospitals.
The Russian army is responsible for these crimes.
In addition, the Secretary General's report mentions Ukrainian children taken to Russia. Many of them have still not been found.
Guterres called on Russia to cooperate with the UN on this issue.
Because of these crimes, Russia has once again officially been included in the list of state structures that systematically violate children's rights. The so-called “list of shame” also includes DR Congo, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan and a number of other states and regimes.
Ukraine calls for sanctions against Russia
By the way, Ukraine called for sanctions to be imposed against those countries and individuals responsible for serious violations of children's rights during armed conflicts.
Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the UN Andriy Melnyk noted that Russia is increasingly attacking densely populated areas, which is why the number of civilian casualties is growing.
He proposed introducing automatic sanctions for “repeat offenders” – states that have been included on the “list of shame” more than once.
Melnyk also proposed creating a blacklist of commanders, military and paramilitary leaders who are guilty of crimes against children, as well as freezing their assets, banning travel and introducing other personal sanctions.
The Permanent Representative also proposed establishing a compensation fund to help affected children and their families at the expense of the violating states or their frozen assets.
To stop the killing and maiming of children in Ukraine, one simple solution is needed – a complete, unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days, which should be the first step towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in accordance with the UN Charter, Melnyk said.
He also added that the Russians continue to lie in the UN Security Council, including on issues concerning children. But the evidence in the Secretary General's report is “very stubborn and speaks for itself.”
