Thousands of Ukrainian children will be opening presents underground this Christmas as Vladimir Putin continues his brutal bombardment. More than 650 drones and dozens of missiles were fired from Russia yesterday (Tuesday), killing at least three people, including a four-year-old child.

Putin’s indiscriminate war against the innocents has raged since the invasion began in February 2022, with no signs of a Christmas truce to bring any respite for children and families over the next 48 hours. And it’s not just the youngsters who remain in Ukraine who are under threat from the Kremlin’s war machine.

The Daily Express Return the Stolen Children campaign, launched this summer, has highlighted the plight of an estimated 1.6 million Ukrainian youngsters stolen from their families in areas under Russian occupation. And Children are still not safe in parts of Ukraine free from Putin’s grasp. More than 2,000 have been wounded, and at least 600 have been killed since 2022.

The threat of death from above has forced an entire generation living close to the front lines to spend most of their lives underground, but despite the terror, brave volunteers from organisations like charity SOS Children’s Villages in Ukraine are working around the clock this Christmas to bring some hope in the darkness.

The charity shared these heartbreaking testimonies with the Daily Express from the city of Chernihiv, one of the most attacked regions of Ukraine, with air raid alerts lasting up to 20 hours per day, forcing children to sleep, eat and go to school in shelters and basements.

Little Matvii, aged 10, is one of the children forced to shelter from Putin’s bombs and drones. He said he would like a phone for Christmas, but his greatest wish was for “the war to end as soon as possible and for everyone to return home”. He added: “I miss the time before the war.”

Veronika, also aged 10, said for Christmas she wants “there to be no sirens, so that we don’t have to run into the corridor and hide”. She said: “For my country, I wish for peace, I want to simply wake up and not be afraid that something will happen. I want my mom to smile instead of worrying all the time.”

Anastasiia is 12 years old. She said all she wants is to be close to her mum and at home on Christmas Day. She added: “For my country, I wish for victory, not war. I go to school and study, and when there is an air raid alert, we go down to the shelter and continue studying there.

“I miss a calm, peaceful life.”

Maksym, who is 13 years old, said he misses the home that was destroyed by the Russians. He added: “Now I live in a new place that I’m still not used to. I miss my room, where my things and books were. That was the place where I always felt safe and could play, laugh, and dream.

“I dream of having my own room and of peace. I want all children to be happy, not afraid of loud noises and for our lives to become calm again.”

Valeriia, aged 11, said for Christmas all she wants is for “there to be no war so that all children can live at home and not be afraid.

“I want defenders to return to their families, and for our cities to be filled with carols and laughter instead of sirens.”

Kseniia Semeniak, from SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine, said despite the festive season, the reality remains uncertain for children in the midst of the conflict.

She told the Daily Express: “For children in frontline communities of Chernihiv region, Christmas will be uncertain and overshadowed by the realities of war.

“Yet it will also be filled with hope for peace and opportunity to gather together at the festive table, sharing warmth, joy and a sense of togetherness even in the most difficult circumstances.

“SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine is determined to bring moments of joy and comfort. Through safe festive activities and gifts, we help children feel cared for and celebrated. Staff provide emotional support, listen to their fears and create spaces where children can play, dream and simply be children.

“Even in the most difficult circumstances, these small gestures nurture hope, reminding children that they are not alone and that brighter days are ahead.”

Serhii Lukashov, the charity’s National Director, said thousands of children in Ukraine will be spending Christmas “underground” for another year.

“They will be opening presents by torchlight, and listening out for air raid sirens, or the sound of Russian drones and missiles,” he said.

“These children are already emotionally shaken by the loss of their close ones, or live in fear of air bombings. Many have spent their childhood in basements, being deprived of the possibility to play, to travel and simply to attend school, for almost four years.”

The UN estimates more than two million children currently require humanitarian assistance.

SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine has supported a staggering 544,999 children and families affected by the outbreak of war and the charity is trying to bring hope to youngsters in some of the darkest moments of their lives. The charity helps children across the country in a variety of ways, from providing support to children in areas close to the front lines, to foster care, education, mental health assistance and humanitarian aid.

Serhii, who trained as a social worker in the UK, said “They don’t have the normal childhood experience, there is invisible trauma, as well as physical, and we don’t want these children to be forgotten.

“We in Ukraine as a society have lost approximately one third of our child population since the war began, through children leaving to safe countries, or being abducted by Russia. I don’t know if ever in history there was such a demographic catastrophe.

“Like during Covid times, the children in Ukraine have been offered lessons online, but for many children, the internet will not be working, or it will be down for days at a time because of the war; they have no access to school.

“And if the family is not wealthy, perhaps they cannot afford the right gadget. In Chernihiv, the school was destroyed, and walking to school was dangerous when it was open. Now these children have to have lessons underground and we help.”

This Christmas, if you’d like to learn more about, or support the work of SOS Children’s Villages, visit the SOS Children’s Villages UK website on www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/christmas-2025/