War in Ukraine and Russia has caused at least 940 child deaths

An investigation by the independent Russian media outlet Meduza has estimated that at least 940 children under the age of 18 have died as a result of the war between Russia and Ukraine that began in February 2022.

To reach this figure, journalists analyzed data from international organizations, authorities from both sides, social media posts, police reports, and press articles. Most cases were confirmed by at least two sources. The analysis for Ukraine includes deaths within its 1991 borders, encompassing Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. The data for Russia covers only internationally recognized Russian territory.

As of September 2024, the report confirms 873 deaths in Ukraine and 67 in Russia. Meduza noted that this is an initial estimate and the actual number of victims is likely much higher, highlighting that the number of fatalities among both Russian and Ukrainian minors has increased this year compared to previous periods of the conflict.