Ten-year-old Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast Sasha Paskal survived a Russian attack during the early months of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 that resulted in the amputation of her leg. A collapsing concrete slab crushed the bones in her leg, and after spending 15 days in a medically induced coma, doctors had no choice but to amputate.

Despite this life-altering injury, Sasha returned to the sport she loves, performing dance and acrobatic routines with a modern prosthetic leg. Ahead of a recent performance in New York's Times Square, Sasha and her mother, Maria, visited the UN Headquarters, where they spoke to UN News about resilience, recovery, and the urgent need for peace for children living through the war.

"The main message is that people should not forget that the war is still going on in our country," Sasha said.

According to UNICEF, nearly 2.6 million children—more than one-third of all children in Ukraine—remain displaced from their homes. Since February 2022, over 3,400 children have been killed or injured in attacks, though the true number is believed to be higher due to verification challenges.

Sasha's story is also shared through a comic used in classrooms to promote understanding of disability and inclusion among children.

Her journey highlights the ongoing humanitarian impact of the conflict and the resilience of Ukraine's youngest survivors.

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