In the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro, devastation unfolded as Russian missiles pounded the area, leaving two apartments in ruins. In a valiant attempt, a dedicated father, engrossed in his duties, rushed to rescue his loved ones from the catastrophe that unfolded. Sadly, his desperate endeavor ended with the heart-wrenching discovery of his 2-year-old daughter, Lisa, lifeless amidst the rubble. At present, his wife remains hospitalized, grappling with critical injuries.
The news of young Lisa’s body being recovered prompted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to share a solemn revelation via his Telegram account. Since the Russian offensive commenced on February 24, 2022, over 500 innocent children have fallen victim to violence and lost their lives within the confines of Ukraine’s borders.
As the devastating toll continues to rise, the United Nations, too, joins in lament. They confirm that approximately 1,000 Ukrainian children have suffered severe injuries, while countless others have been forcibly kidnapped or displaced, their lives upended by the merciless actions of those seeking power.
Lisa, a tender 2-year-old, was discovered amidst the wreckage of the shattered apartment, a direct result of a Russian missile’s explosive impact. Tragically, her mother was found alongside her, injured and in need of rescue, as recounted by Serhiy Lytsenko, the mayor of Dnipro.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk solemnly remarked on the incident, saying, “Upon receiving the devastating news during his work shift, the father raced to the scene and, with unyielding determination, unearthed his injured wife and lifeless daughter from the debris. The unimaginable magnitude of this tragedy is beyond comprehension.” Vereshchuk further revealed that the rescue operation persisted throughout the night until the early hours of the 5th, as courageous teams tirelessly pulled victims from the ruins.
President Zelensky expressed his sorrowful sentiments, highlighting the innocent lives shattered by this relentless conflict. He revealed that among the 25 survivors rescued from beneath the wreckage of the two decimated apartments, five were children—innocents who have paid an unfathomable price for the violence that has beset their homeland.
Among the injured children, one mother’s tale of desperation and relief emerged. Aliyona Seredniak, a brave mother, shared her harrowing experience, saying, “While at work, news of the missile bombing reached my ears, and concern enveloped my heart for my child, alone at home. In a race against time, I rushed home, joining forces with the rescue team to pull my son from the debris that lay beneath our shattered home near the window.” Their joint efforts proved successful, and the child now finds solace within the walls of a hospital’s intensive care unit.
On the 4th of this month, President Zelensky’s wife, Olena, led a poignant memorial ceremony in Kharkiv—a steadfast tribute to the innocent children who have tragically lost their lives due to the ongoing Russian invasion. With heartfelt anguish, Olena proclaimed, “Parents clasp their children’s hands during their first tentative steps, as they embark on their journey to kindergarten or venture into the world of education. The unthinkable anguish we face is holding the lifeless hand of a child. We must prevent such unspeakable sorrow from recurring. Our children must be allowed to live!”
On that same fateful day, Russian cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles descended upon cities across the nation, leaving Kyiv, the capital, and many other locations in ruins. Amidst this turmoil, the indomitable Ukrainian Air Force rose to the occasion, successfully intercepting six out of eight Russian suicide drones and downing four out of six cruise missiles, employing their robust air defense systems.
Furthermore, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that two missiles targeted the Kropyvnytskyi Air Force base in the central Kirovohrad Oblast, although the extent of the damage remains undisclosed at this time.
Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense provided brief insights into their military operations, acknowledging strikes on Ukrainian airfields and strategic locations housing fighter jets and ammunition depots. However, further details surrounding these attacks were withheld from the public eye.
As Ukraine bears witness to this relentless storm of destruction and loss, the world collectively mourns the innocent lives torn asunder. In the midst of this chaos, let us not forget the countless children, like Lisa, who once embodied hope but have now become tragic symbols of the toll exacted by conflict.