Statement attributable to Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF Representative to Ukraine

These were children and families in the city centre on a busy Sunday preparing for the start of Easter festivities in Ukraine. 

There can be no justification for such a callous attack on Palm Sunday lunchtime – or at any time – that kills or injures children in the centre of a civilian area. 

Children are not responsible for the war, yet more young lives are ended and devastated with every day that this horror continues.

Today’s destruction comes just three weeks after 24 children were injured in another attack that hit Sumy and following last week’s strike in Kryvyi Rih that killed 9 children. 

Attacks on civilians and civilian objects are prohibited under international humanitarian law. Children must always be protected. Above all, children need an end to this war.”