As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, both sides have intensified airstrikes and drone attacks deep inside each other's territories. On Tuesday, August 4th, 2026, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) appealed for greater protection of the war’s youngest victims.

“Over the past several days, children have again been killed and injured in attacks in the Russian Federation and across Ukraine,” UNICEF said in a statement urging all parties to comply with international humanitarian law.

UNICEF reported that three children were among seven killed in an attack in Russia’s Krasnodar region on Monday, which also injured around 40 others. This followed an incident a day earlier where a 13-year-old girl was killed and two other girls aged seven and nine were injured when a drone struck near a playground in the Belgorod region in southwestern Russia.

In Ukraine, at least six children were reportedly killed in attacks over the past week. The casualties included an eight-year-old boy, at least three children killed alongside their entire family in the Dnipropetrovsk region, and two girls aged five and ten in the Sumy region. Additionally, UNICEF noted that at least 19 children were injured during the same period.

The agency emphasized, “Children have the right to be safe in the places where they live and play, wherever they are.” UNICEF called again on all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the protection of children and civilian infrastructure.

Sources