The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has concluded that Russia’s actions in Ukraine have led to significant violations of children’s rights. Between February 2022 and December 2024, the OHCHR documented 669 child deaths and 1,883 injuries, with explosive weapons causing the majority of these casualties. These weapons have not only devastated civilian areas but also destroyed critical infrastructure such as schools and hospitals, depriving children of education and medical care.
According to the OHCHR report, 89% of these casualties resulted from explosive weapons used in populated areas, while mines and unexploded remnants of war contributed to additional child deaths and injuries. The report emphasizes the long-term dangers posed by landmines, which have contaminated over 139,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory, putting children at continued risk.
Moreover, Russian authorities in occupied territories have imposed policies that forcibly assimilate Ukrainian children into Russian culture. These measures, including the introduction of Russian citizenship and a Russian-centric education system, aim to suppress Ukrainian identity and violate children’s cultural rights. Such actions are seen as discriminatory, targeting children based on their Ukrainian ethnicity.
The OHCHR report underscores that these actions breach international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which mandates the protection of children’s lives and their right to participate fully in their cultural life. The use of explosive weapons and the imposition of discriminatory policies are flagged as violations of international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of civilians, including children, in conflict zones.
Additionally, the forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia is identified as a war crime under the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The OHCHR calls on Russia to cease attacks on civilians and respect Ukrainian children’s rights to their cultural heritage. The report also urges the international community to provide financial and technical support to aid children displaced by the conflict.
UN human rights Photo by Jean Marc FerrZ on Flickr.
