How Ukraine’s Children Are Facing War Through Their Own Eyes
So, let me walk you through this story in a way that feels like we’re talking right now, because the latest Newsround and Ukrainecast collaboration has brought forward something incredibly important — how the ongoing war in Ukraine has changed childhood itself.
A special episode of BBC’s Ukrainecast was recently released, created together with Newsround, and it was designed to answer the questions young viewers have been asking for years now. The war has been going on since February 2022, when a full-scale invasion of Ukraine was ordered, and since then, millions of children have been living with uncertainty, fear, and constant change. In this episode, those questions were finally put to experts who could explain what daily life has been like for young people caught in the middle of a conflict.
The atmosphere of the recording itself was quite emotional. More than 80 school pupils — both British and Ukrainian — sat in the audience as the panel spoke. Host Victoria Derbyshire was joined by Ricky from Newsround, alongside BBC Ukraine Correspondent James Waterhouse and Ukrainecast’s Vitaly Shevchenko. Insights were shared from their reporting, but more importantly, the children’s own voices were heard. Stories were told about disrupted routines, underground classrooms built for safety, and the way families have been separated as a result of the fighting.
Also Read:- Cynthia Erivo’s Emotional Homecoming Leaves Everyone in Tears
- The Driving Test Chaos Learners Are Facing Right Now
One of the children featured was Maryna, who had fled the war with her family and resettled in the UK. Even though she is safe, her heart remains divided, because her grandmother is still in Ukraine. Her story reflects thousands of others — lives uprooted, connections stretched across borders, and childhoods reshaped by events far beyond children’s control.
Ricky, who visited Ukraine in 2023, used the podcast to talk about the many kids he met there. Their resilience was highlighted, but so was the emotional toll of growing up surrounded by air-raid sirens, destroyed buildings, and constant worry. The episode acts as a guide for young audiences to understand the conflict, showing what the war looks like specifically through children’s eyes.
At the same time, Ukraine has just marked Children’s Protection Day on 20 November — now a new national holiday established by Presidential Decree 355/2025. Instead of celebration, the day became a reminder of what has been lost. Ukrainian officials spoke about children who were killed in attacks, children forced to flee, and those abducted and taken out of the country. The message made clear was that every effort is being made to protect children and secure their future, even under the most difficult circumstances.
Educational, social, and humanitarian activities were planned across the country, all meant to support families, provide comfort, and reinforce a sense of safety during uncertain times. Initiatives like Bring Kids Back UA continue working to return children from occupied territories, offering them care and stability once they reach safety.
All of this shows how childhood in Ukraine has been transformed — not lost, but reshaped by courage, community, and the determination to protect young lives no matter what.
Read More:
0 Comments