Ukrainian Advocate Addresses Hungarian Parliament on Impact of War on Children

Liliána Grexa, a representative for the Ukrainian minority in Hungary, delivered a sobering address to the Hungarian Parliament, detailing the severe consequences of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on the youngest generation.

In a report presented on Children's Day, Grexa highlighted that for 1,559 days since the outbreak of the full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine, there has not been a cloudless holiday or weekday. She emphasized that there is no day that is not cast in the shadow of Russian aggression and destruction.

The address categorized the suffering of Ukrainian youth into two groups: those currently in Hungary and those remaining within Ukraine. For the Ukrainian children in Hungary, Grexa noted that while the country offers physical security and the opportunity to maintain their native heritage through minority schools, these children live under a constant cloud of anxiety.

They fear for their relatives who remain in Ukraine, including family members serving on the front lines or enduring the daily hazards of the warzone.

For children still residing within Ukraine, the reality is far more perilous. Grexa presented statistics showing that since the beginning of the full-scale Russian aggression, 2,532 Ukrainian children have suffered various degrees of injuries, and 705 Ukrainian children have lost their lives.

She explained that this is because Russian missiles and drones do not only bring whistling death to the front lines, but claim their victims by striking children's hospitals, playgrounds, and residential buildings.

"Over the past nearly 1,600 days, in addition to the fatalities and casualties, tens of thousands of Ukrainian children have been torn from their families, abducted from occupied territories, and stripped of their mother tongue, their homes, and their childhoods by the Russian aggressor," Grexa said.

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Despite these grim circumstances, she highlighted the remarkable resilience of Ukrainian youth, recounting instances of teenagers who resisted indoctrination and children who continue to practice music and dance in bomb shelters during air raids.

Grexa concluded her address with a firm call to action for the international community and Hungarian lawmakers to maintain their support for Ukraine’s defense. She asserted that this solidarity is essential to securing a future for these children that is entirely free from Russian influence.

First Lady Olena Zelenska reported that 44% of children in Ukraine exhibited signs of potential PTSD due to the ongoing Russian invasion. Speaking at an educational conference, she highlighted that the trauma manifested in children struggling with concentration, experiencing social isolation, and suffering from persistent sleep issues.

Zelenska emphasized the critical need to support these children, noting that their emotional well-being was essential to their ability to learn and navigate the life-altering experiences caused by the war.

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