KYIV, 13 AUGUST 2026 – July saw the highest number of child casualties in Ukraine in more than four years with the number of children killed or injured totalling 183, Save the Children said.
This is the highest monthly number of child casualties recorded since April 2022, just two months into the outbreak of the full-scale war.
The latest UN Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights report shows child casualties increased by 50% between June, when the total was an already four-year-high of 123, and July.[1]
The figures come as attacks continue to put children and civilians at increasing risk across Ukraine. Last week, Save the Children premises were struck in several attacks, two of which damaged humanitarian supplies for children.
Sonia Khush, Save the Children Country Director in Ukraine, said:
"July marked the highest number of child casualties since the early months of the full-scale war. A 50% increase in child casualties in a single month is not just a statistic, it shows how rapidly the danger to children is escalating across Ukraine. It's getting harder for families to find safety as increasingly powerful missiles and drones tear through apartment buildings, kindergartens and other civilian buildings. Every child killed or injured is one too many.
"These figures reflect a deeply alarming reality: children across Ukraine are facing relentless danger, with attacks increasingly reaching homes, schools, playgrounds and communities where children should feel safe. Beyond those killed and injured, countless more children are living with the daily fear of air raid sirens, explosions and losing loved ones.
"Every time we think it couldn't get worse for children it does. This is a nightmare that is dragging on and on. Civilians must be protected and harm to children must end."
ENDS
Save the Children has been working in Ukraine since 2014. We have dramatically scaled up our operations since full-scale war broke out. Since February 2022, our team in Ukraine has reached more than 4.7 million people. including more than 1.9 million children, of which 448,000 have received education support.
Our media out of hours (BST) contact is [email protected] / +44(0)7831 650409
Sources:
[1] 17 children were killed and 166 were injured: UN Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights