Comment of the MFA of Ukraine on the 2024 Annual Report of the UN Secretary-General on “Children and Armed Conflict”

This decision clearly confirms the systematic and large-scale nature of the crimes committed by the russian federation against children in Ukraine in the course of its full-scale aggression. Beyond its political and moral significance, this listing also carries practical consequences: in accordance with established UN procedures, countries whose armed forces appear on the list are barred from participating in current or future UN peacekeeping operations until they are removed from the so-called “list of shame.”

The report highlights that, in 2024, the russian federation not only failed to take any steps to prevent harm to children, but in fact significantly escalated its attacks on densely populated areas and civilian infrastructure. This has resulted in a 105% increase in grave violations against children compared to the previous year. Moreover, russia continues to obstruct the return of Ukrainian children whom it has illegally deported and prevent their reunification with their families in Ukraine.

At the same time, the presentation of information regarding child casualties on the territory of the russian federation raises serious concerns. It does not meet the standards and verification requirements of the Children and Armed Conflict mandate in terms of detail and credibility.

Equally unacceptable is the complete omission in the report of verified cases of sexual violence against children perpetrated by russian military personnel. Despite Ukraine’s submission of confirmed information on at least 16 such cases, these incidents are absent from the final document.

russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues to have catastrophic consequences for children — including killings, injuries, sexual violence, the destruction of educational and medical facilities, mass abductions, and the forced detention of Ukrainian children. These are grave crimes for which there can be no justification.

As a State Party to the core international instruments on child protection, Ukraine is undertaking all possible measures to enhance the protection of children in situations of armed conflict. We highly value our cooperation with the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, particularly in the context of the Joint Preventive Action Plan, which the UN Secretary-General assessed positively.

In light of the submission of the report to the UN Security Council, Ukraine urges Council members to provide a principled and resolute assessment of the russian federation’s actions and to demand that moscow comply fully with its obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law. This includes ensuring unimpeded access for the UN and other mandated international organizations to all temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, and the immediate and unconditional return of all Ukrainian children who remain illegally detained by russia.

Ukraine calls on the international community to maintain and increase pressure on the russian federation to end its armed aggression and ensure the swift and unconditional return of all abducted Ukrainian children.

For reference: The mandate of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict is based on 13 UN Security Council resolutions and addresses six grave violations against children in armed conflict: the recruitment and use of children; the killing and maiming of children; sexual violence against children; attacks on schools and hospitals; the abduction of children; and the denial of humanitarian access.

In 2024, the United Nations verified 1,914 grave violations against 543 children in Ukraine in connection with russian aggression. An additional 46 violations committed in previous years were also confirmed.

The UN Secretary-General’s decision to “list” the russian armed forces is unprecedented: in the history of the mandate, the regular army of a UN Security Council member — especially a permanent member — has never before been included in this list. It should be noted that the russian federation is not a legitimate permanent member of the UN Security Council, having unilaterally assumed the seat of the USSR in 1991.

In accordance with the listing procedure, the russian federation is now required to develop and implement an action plan under UN oversight as a condition for being removed from the list. At present, russia is actively evading such cooperation.

Furthermore, repeated inclusion on the list has tangible consequences: states whose armed forces are listed are prohibited from participating in any UN peacekeeping operations, both current and future, until they are delisted.