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By pensadmin

KYIV, 25 May 2023 – An increasingly regular barrage of night-time missiles hitting Ukraine is causing children and families significant distress, and putting their lives at risk, Save the Children said today. 

Ukraine’s Air Force Command said a total of 107 missiles and about 100 drones have been launched over the country in May. This month, a total of 1120 air raid sirens have been recorded across Ukraine so far – already a 28% increase compared to April. Almost half of all sirens went off during the night – between 10pm and 5am.

Families risk not waking up to the alarm and getting killed or injured by a direct strike or falling debris. The constant bombardment and wail of sirens is incredibly distressing for children and families, who are forced to take shelter in basements and cellars at home or travel further to locate a bunker without windows.

Kyiv has endured night-time missile attacks in nine of the last 10 days, with ‘exceptionally dense’ air strikes occurring on 16 May, Kyiv officials said. On that night, air defence shot down 18 missiles over the city, creating a barrage of explosions which caused debris to fall in residential areas.

 “These past couple weeks have been hectic, as sirens were followed by explosions, and bright flashes occur almost every night. We have blankets prepared in the hallway of our apartment. Once the siren sounds at night, we take our son straight from his bed to the hallway. Our family stays there until all is clear,”

said Oleksandr, a Save the Children staff member who lives in Kyiv with his wife and 5-year-old son.

“He isn’t often bothered by loud noises at night, but explosions wake him up. Luckily, he stays calm while with us. But in the morning, he feels anxious and irritated.”

Last year, Ukraine became the deadliest country for civilians living in populated areas. Explosive weapons with a wide impact area caused 93% of all civilian casualties.  According to the UN, since war escalated on 24 February 2022, more than 23,000 civilians have been killed or injured including more than 1,500 children, although the actual figures are likely to be much higher.

Source: Savethechildren