Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell On Latest School Attack in Luhansk, Ukraine

NEW YORK (May 8, 2022) – “UNICEF strongly condemns yet another attack on a school in Ukraine amid reports that civilians, including children, had sought shelter in the school’s bunker.

“We do not yet know how many children might have been killed or injured in the reported bombing, but we fear this attack has just added to the hundreds of children who have already lost their lives in this war. Families who were caught up in this attack should have been celebrating Mother’s Day today in Ukraine, not mourning the loss of loved ones.

"Schools must never be attacked or used for military purposes. Targeting civilians and civilian objects, including schools, is a violation of international humanitarian law. This latest attack is just one of the many instances in this war where we have seen a blatant disregard for civilian lives.”

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Notes for editors:

Find out more about UNICEF's work in Ukraine here: www.unicef.org/ukraineconflict

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About UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to pursue a more equitable world for every child. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more.

UNICEF USA advances the global mission of UNICEF by rallying the American public to support the world’s most vulnerable children. Together, we are working toward a world that upholds the rights of all children and helps every child thrive. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

For more information, contact
Mackenzie Dougherty,
UNICEF USA, 212.922.2551,
mdougherty@unicefusa.org