“From the moment of de -occupation of Right -Bank Kherson region in November 2022, the population of the region suffers from daily shelling from artillery and RSSS, UAV attacks and air strikes. As of the end of February 2025, more than 145 thousand civilians in the Kherson and Beryslav districts are under a constant threat.”, – WRITE: www.pravda.com.ua
As of the end of February 2025, more than 145 thousand civilians in the Kherson and Beryslav districts are under a constant threat. Among the local population, a large number of vulnerable categories, including almost 12 thousand children, about 60 thousand elderly and 10.5 thousand people with disabilities. The situation is complicated by a significant number of internally displaced persons that reach 22.3% of the total population of the region (32.4 thousand people). Compared to the previous months, the population decreased by 2.5%or by 3.6 thousand people.
In recent months, there has been an extremely difficult situation due to constant shelling by Russian troops. Not only military facilities, but also dwellings, kindergartens and infrastructure are struck. Particularly difficult is the situation within 5-10 kilometers from the Dnieper River, which became a natural line of demarcation.
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In February 2025 alone, Russian troops attacked Kherson 2.036 times, releasing 8,316 shells on the settlements of the region. In particular, the city of Kherson attacked the Russians more than 300 times. In February 2025, according to the Kherson Ova, 23 people were killed on the Right Bank of Kherson region, at least 177 were injured, including 7 children. In the Kherson community, 13 people were killed during the specified period, 100 were injured in varying severity.
From January 2024 to February 2025, at least 54 children were injured from the shelling and attacks of UAV on the Right Bank of Kherson region, one child was killed.
Crimes against children Children are among the most vulnerable categories of the population of Kherson region. In 2024, the prosecutor’s office of the Kherson region recorded almost a thousand crimes against children. The child’s population suffered not only from war. Two crimes against sexual freedom and inviolability were also recorded, 25 cases of kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment and unlawful movement (deportation) of 730 minors.
According to various data, thousands of children from Kherson region were taken to the territory of the Russian Federation. Only a small percentage managed to return home. In 2024, 246 children from the Kherson region were returned from temporary Russian occupation. Since the beginning of 2025, 25 children have been returned to Ukraine controlled by Ukraine.
Since February 2022, 19 children of the Kherson community have lost their parents as a result of armed aggression of the Russian Federation.
Due to the threats of life and health of children in the territory of Kherson district, entry to families with children is forbidden to the following settlements: Belozerka, Priozerne, Komyshany, Winter, Antonovka, Sadovov, along the streets Amber, Dniprovske, Giant, Novotyaginka, Prydniprovsk, Tokarivka, Stanislav, Oleksandrivka, Shiroka Balka, Mykilsk, Ivanivka, Poniativka, Potter, Novodmitrovka, Romashkovo, May Day. In general, the mandatory evacuation extends to 50 settlements of Beryslav and Kherson districts. They are located along the Dnieper and Russian troops are constantly attacked, so it is extremely dangerous to stay there.
No less serious threat to the population is mine-explosive devices. The sappers point out that by the end of February 2025, 64.4% of the territory of the Right -Bank Kherson region was exchanged, but residual mine fields continue to complicate normal life in frontline communities. According to the OVA, 50 children were injured on the Right Bank of the Kherson region from January 1 to December 15, 2024 due to mine-explosive injuries. One child was killed, 49 were injured.
Access to education At the end of December 2024, 5 schools worked in a mixed format in the Kherson region. They study 500 students. 169 schools work “Online”. 56.5 thousand students receive education in these schools. Infrastructure attacks worsen children’s mental health and complicate access to learning, which further deepens mental problems due to a limited socialization environment. In addition, online education often involves limited supervision for children and teachers, which reduces teachers’ ability to control potential risks such as domestic violence.
In the Kherson city territorial community, 131 educational institutions were damaged as a result of Russian shelling, two schools were completely destroyed. 22,000 students are remotely studying.
Life wins Despite constant shelling and threats, life does not stop in Kherson region. Last year, 213 new residents of the community – 106 Kherson and 107 Kherson – were born in Kherson. In January 2025, 14 babies were born in the city perinatal center: 7 boys and 7 girls, and in February – 11 kids: 5 boys and 6 girls.
Instead of a conclusion Despite the liberation of the Right -Bank Kherson region, its population, in particular children, is still in constant danger due to aggressive actions of Russian troops. Everyday shelling, attacks and mine-explosive devices cause death and injuries among civilians. Crimes against children, deportation and abduction are another serious problem, which is unlikely to be overcome in the near future.
Taras Bukreyev
The article was prepared within the framework of the project on providing access to water, sanitation and hygiene in the liberated communities of Kherson region, which is being implemented by the Southern Development Strategy together with the UN (UNICEF) Children’s Fund (UNICEF) with the support of the Government of Japan.
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