Ukraine: Multiple Fatalities Reported As Russian Forces Attack Civilian Sites

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has resulted in multiple civilian casualties, according to the UN.

The toll of Russian President Vladimir Putin's 'special military operation' is already high: Russia has coordinated attacks on 33 civilian sites; hundreds of Ukrainians, both troops and citizens, have died or sustained injuries; and more than 450 Russian troops have also been killed.

Air raid sirens have been blaring in Kyiv this morning as residents cower from missile attacks, with more than 100,000 bidding to flee the capital amid the conflict. It's believed Russian troops are now just 20 miles from Kyiv, with fears Putin wants to capture the city and kill President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Hundreds of people, including many women and children are currently taking shelter inside a subway station in Kharkiv, #Ukraine as explosions are heard in the city. @washingtonpost pic.twitter.com/ZddeHqlMvU

— Salwan Georges (@salwangeorges) February 24, 2022

As per Sky News, the United Nations has reported at least 25 civilian fatalities amid missile strikes and ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with 102 injured in shelling and airstrikes. However, it also noted this was likely an underestimate and the actual death toll could be far higher.

Ukraine has also reported the deaths of 137 people, including civilians and troops. According to the interior ministry, at least two children have been killed as a result of Russia's attacks on residential areas. 'The Russians say they are not striking civilian objects. But 33 civilian sites have been hit over the last 24 hours,' the agency said.

Ukrainian officials said that multiple missile strikes hit Kyiv early Friday. "They say that civilian objects are not a target for them. It is a lie, they do not distinguish in which areas to operate," Ukraine's president said of Russia.

Follow updates. https://t.co/GxrASRMiJf pic.twitter.com/4BGHxZyEa3

— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 25, 2022

While Kyiv appears to be Russia's main objective today, with tanks reportedly rolling in this morning and Zelensky believing he's 'target number one', civilian areas in other cities are still at risk.

There's at least 7.5 million children across Ukraine in 'grave danger of physical harm, severe emotional distress, and displacement, following an escalation in hostilities overnight', Save the Children has said.

Escalating conflict in #Ukraine is putting millions of children and their families in immediate danger.

UNICEF has been working to keep children safe since this conflict began eight years ago.

Please donate today to protect children in Ukraine 👇https://t.co/bpXY4V4jX2 pic.twitter.com/IMwP0QiF6t

— UNICEF UK (@UNICEF_uk) February 24, 2022

'Ukraine’s children are caught in the crossfire of this adult war. It should never have come to this. Our most immediate concern is the risk to their health and wellbeing – in conflict, everything is on the table – death, injury, sexual violence, protection risks. Children are terrified. They are hearing explosions, they are being asked to flee with just the clothes on their backs. The risk to their mental health and potential for long-term trauma cannot be under estimated,' Irina Saghoyan, Save the Children’s Eastern Europe Director, said.

Children in #Ukraine have grown up enduring #conflict, shelling & violence. Many have been displaced from their homes.

Every effort should be made to find a diplomatic solution & avert a catastrophic war.

Children deserve to feel protected & safe. We must #StopTheWarOnChildren pic.twitter.com/8HW3YW88Mg

— Save the Children International (@save_children) February 25, 2022

'We are also gravely concerned about displacement and the subsequent soaring humanitarian needs. Any family forced from their home needs help with shelter, food, clean water – the absolute basics. We are also at the end of winter, with temperatures regularly below zero.

'Many children living in this conflict zone already don’t have enough food to eat or clothes to keep them warm. The thought that many of these children may be forced to find inadequate shelters in the instance of mass displacement - where they’ll be exposed to the freezing rain, wind and snow – is incredibly distressing.'

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