Kathrine Frich
Within just one month of Russia’s full-scale invasion, more than half of Ukraine’s children were displaced.
Within just one month of Russia’s full-scale invasion, more than half of Ukraine’s children were displaced.
Ukrainian Children Share the Pain of Life in Exile
As Russia’s brutal war on Ukraine grinds into its third year, millions of Ukrainian children have been displaced, some fleeing abroad, others scattered within their own country.
This gallery shares the personal stories of two young girls whose lives were upended by war, offering a powerful glimpse into childhood in conflict.
Liza Horshenina: From Music to Mayhem
Just eight years old when the bombs started falling on Siverskodonetsk, Liza watched her grandmother’s home and her beloved cello get destroyed.
Now 11, she has been forced to start over in Germany, far from everything she knew and loved.
A Family Torn Apart
Liza’s mother, Olena, fled with her daughter to Berdyansk, then Kyiv, and eventually to Germany, seeking safety from the relentless Russian shelling.
Liza’s older brother, a soldier, helped them escape early in the war, but their lives have been filled with constant upheaval ever since.
Music Lost and Slowly Found Again
The cello, once a passion, became a painful memory for Liza. She refused to play after losing her instrument in a missile strike.
But thanks to encouragement from teachers in Germany, she’s rediscovering her love of music and herself.
“Even on My Birthday, I Felt No Joy”
In Germany, Liza says her birthday passed without celebration. “I didn’t feel any joy because I had left my home,” she recalled.
Though safe now, the emotional toll of war is still deeply felt every day.
Sophia Ogagifo: A New Life in Switzerland
Sophia, 16, fled Ukraine with her mother, younger brother, and aunt after the war escalated.
They now live in Switzerland, but the trauma of leaving her homeland and the early days of displacement have left deep emotional scars.
A Lonely First Month
“I was crying the whole time… I wasn’t talking to my family at all,” Sophia said about her arrival in Switzerland.
The sudden shift from hope to exile was jarring. She felt isolated and depressed, uncertain about what lay ahead.
Still Ukrainian at Heart
Even thousands of miles away, Sophia says, “I still feel like I’m Ukrainian.” She misses her country deeply and hasn’t let go of her roots.
But unlike Liza, she doesn’t see herself returning anytime soon, citing safety concerns for her family.
“It’s Too Dangerous to Go Back”
“I haven’t been there for a year, and I don’t think it’s a good idea to come back now,” Sophia admitted.
Her hope of returning to Ukraine has faded as the war continues to rage, with no clear end in sight.
Fighting for Ukraine From Afar
Though she can’t return, Sophia is finding ways to support her country from Switzerland.
She raises funds for Ukrainian children and shares her culture with those around her, proving that exile hasn’t weakened her identity, it’s strengthened it.
4.3 Million Children Uprooted
Within just one month of Russia’s full-scale invasion, more than half of Ukraine’s children were displaced.
A shocking 4.3 million were forced to flee, 1.8 million across borders and 2.5 million within Ukraine, according to UNICEF.
The Toll: Hundreds of Children Killed
Between February 2022 and the end of 2024, at least 669 children were confirmed killed and nearly 1,900 injured by Russian attacks.
Most of these deaths occurred in Ukrainian-controlled areas, but many also died under Russian occupation.
A Generation Changed Forever
The UN’s human rights chief, Volker Turk, says Ukrainian children have faced “a wide range of wartime experiences,” each with lasting impacts.
Whether as refugees or survivors of bombardments, their innocence has been shattered, but their resilience shines through.
