Growing up under fire: Ukraine’s children adapt to survive Russia's invasion

The war in Ukraine has had a profound impact on the lives of many children, such as 12-year-old Lera who had to undergo the difficult process of learning to walk again after being injured by a Russian missile. The war has led to a significant number of children experiencing various unpleasant symptoms, including loss, fear, and anxiety. Many children are grappling with issues such as struggling to sleep, having panic attacks, or suffering from flashbacks. Lera, for instance, witnessed the missile that injured her, and she continues to struggle with the sound of air raid sirens. The war has also been particularly harsh for her as she lost her brother, who was killed fighting on the front line just months before she was injured. The war has also impacted 12-year-old Daniel, whose father is a soldier serving close to their hometown of Kharkiv. Daniel now resides in western Ukraine with his mother and finds it challenging to fit in, especially when there's an air raid at school and everyone's happy they'll miss class. Eight-year-old Angelina is still living in the midst of a bomb site in Kharkiv, surrounded by smoke-blackened buildings and smashed glass. The war has resulted in frequent blackouts, and she has had to adapt to this new reality as best as she can.