In Ukraine, thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed since the start of the war, including nearly 700 children.

Omissions

• The most recent UN-verified figure before the session date (OHCHR, first half of 2026) is at least 803 children killed — above the ~700 cited by the MEP.
• OHCHR explicitly states these figures are verified minimums and that the actual toll is likely considerably higher, so the true number of children killed is even further above the claimed ~700.
• The claim's 'thousands of soldiers and civilians' also understates the reality: UN-verified civilian deaths alone exceeded 16,400, and military casualties are estimated in the tens of thousands.
• Different bodies publish different figures (e.g. the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office), which may explain a figure closer to 700 at an earlier point in time; the figure has been rising rapidly, especially during the deadliest year of 2025.
• The description of a war 'lasting nearly five years' refers to the February 2022 full-scale invasion (about 4 years and 7 months as of September 2026).

Sources

• PrimaryUN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (OHCHR) — 'Civilian Casualties Soar in Ukraine in the First Half of 2026'Overall, since 24 February 2022, OHCHR has verified at least 16,431 civilians killed, including 803 children, and 48,613 injured.
• PrimaryUN Audiovisual Library / OHCHR — 'OHCHR / UKRAINE WAR 1000 DAYS'Our Office has verified that at least 12,162 civilians have been killed since 24 February 2022, among them 659 children.
• PrimaryUNICEF — 'Children killed and injured in latest attacks across Ukraine'Since the escalation of the war in February 2022, the UN has verified 3,946 children killed or injured in Ukraine, with the actual number likely to be higher.