Author:
Yuliia Didenko
On the eve of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, dozens of Ukrainian companies, organizations, public figures, and caring citizens joined a flash mob organized by the Voices of Children Foundation. They printed posters featuring children’s quotes about war, hope, and dignity; took photos with them and shared them on social media using the hashtag #VoicesOfChildren.
“During war, we should be gentle, so the world doesn’t become even harsher,” says seven-year-old Vova. “When there’s a war, we need to be even kinder, because people are having a hard time now,” adds his peer, Misha.
These words came from conversations with the Foundation’s psychologists. Children were trying to express how they see the world around them. The team launched the flash mob to amplify their voices and remind adults that childhood is unfolding right now. Children need support so their words are not lost amid the many other challenges of war.
These words came from conversations with the Foundation’s psychologists. Children were trying to express how they see the world around them. The team launched the flash mob to amplify their voices and remind adults that childhood is unfolding right now. Children need support so their words are not lost amid the many other challenges of war.
Ukrainian Companies Amplify Voices of Children
Well-known Ukrainian businesses joined the campaign. Ukrposhta shared a poster with seven-year-old Vova’s quote about gentleness. Publishing house Knygolove supported the initiative on its social media pages and website. Marketplace Allo, Laska charity store, the Ukrainian brands platform Vsi.Svoi and the official Mercedes-Benz dealer in Dnipro all encouraged people not to remain indifferent to childhood.
Restaurants of Ukrainian cuisine founded by Yevhen Klopotenko—100 Rokiv Tomu Vpered and Poltava, the Mykhailo and Dasha Katsurin’s restaurants, China Hi, Japan Hi, and Thai Hi, as well as Titka Klara chain, joined the initiative by placing children’s quotes on their walls. The chain of city cafés, Soul Cafe, put stickers with the quotes on coffee cups.
Entertainment centers Kraina Mriy and Fun Planet, along with the Lviv kindergarten Mudryk, also joined the flash mob—spaces filled with children’s laughter every day.
Support even came from the Akademik Vernadsky Antarctic Research Base. Base doctor Yuliia Tykhonovych, geophysicist Albert Hrabovetskyi, biologist Taras Peretiatko, and Director of the Mexican Antarctic Program Pablo Leppe recorded a moving video holding handwritten children’s quotes against a backdrop of penguins.
Support even came from the Akademik Vernadsky Antarctic Research Base. Base doctor Yuliia Tykhonovych, geophysicist Albert Hrabovetskyi, biologist Taras Peretiatko, and Director of the Mexican Antarctic Program Pablo Leppe recorded a moving video holding handwritten children’s quotes against a backdrop of penguins.
Military Personnel, Athletes, and Artists Join the Campaign
“A girl believed that 1,000 paper cranes could make a miracle happen. I think a real miracle would be 1,000 days without air raid alerts,” reflects seven-year-old Ihor. His peer Artem says, “My wish is simple—that no one is afraid of the night.” Zhenia, also seven, adds briefly: “I don’t want to wake up in the middle of the night anymore.”
Soldiers of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Black Zaporozhians and Ukrzaliznytsia train driver Vasyl Babchuk referenced children’s quotes in their videos and posts. It was Ukrainian defenders and railway workers who were among the first to see how many children lost their homes and were forced to evacuate to safer regions of Ukraine.
Soldiers of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Black Zaporozhians and Ukrzaliznytsia train driver Vasyl Babchuk referenced children’s quotes in their videos and posts. It was Ukrainian defenders and railway workers who were among the first to see how many children lost their homes and were forced to evacuate to safer regions of Ukraine.
Olympic champion and fencer Olha Kharlan shared the quote, “Mom says the most important thing is not to lose our smile, so we laugh every day.” She was joined by Ukrainian poet and war veteran Artur Dron, TV host Slava Frolova, showman Oleksandr Pedan, and influencer Hryhorii Fesenko (stay-at-home father).
Also participating were Sofiia Tkachuk—Miss Universe Ukraine 2025, music teacher Ivan Tkachuk (Wania Musicman), Stepan and Sofiia Andrushchenko from the folk group ShchukaRyba, and Borys Tkachuk, co-organizer of the FUSION JAMS formation.
Bob Som, World Bank Regional Director for Eastern Europe, also joined the campaign during the opening of the Foundation’s exhibition “Thread: Transformation Rather Than Brokenness,” dedicated to the forced changes in childhood shaped by war.
Also participating were Sofiia Tkachuk—Miss Universe Ukraine 2025, music teacher Ivan Tkachuk (Wania Musicman), Stepan and Sofiia Andrushchenko from the folk group ShchukaRyba, and Borys Tkachuk, co-organizer of the FUSION JAMS formation.
Bob Som, World Bank Regional Director for Eastern Europe, also joined the campaign during the opening of the Foundation’s exhibition “Thread: Transformation Rather Than Brokenness,” dedicated to the forced changes in childhood shaped by war.
What Children Say About War and Kindness
Seven-year-old Matvii explains, “Kindness is when you share your cookie in the bomb shelter, even if you only have one.” His peer Zlata says, “Kind words during war sound louder than a siren.” Eight-year-old Mykhailo shares, “When it gets dark, we turn on flashlights and say they’re our little stars of peace.”
Artem builds pillow forts and believes they are as safe as “a real shelter.” For Mishel, play becomes a way to hold on during war as it helps her heart not give up.
Children speak honestly about their dreams. They want to live in peace, for the word “war” to disappear from their lives. They dream of stories where everyone is happy because no one is fighting. For them, real rest means safety outside a shelter. Above all, they want their hometowns to stay safe and untouched by the war. “I don’t want anyone to take away my home and the place where I was born,” says Marharyta.
Artem builds pillow forts and believes they are as safe as “a real shelter.” For Mishel, play becomes a way to hold on during war as it helps her heart not give up.
Children speak honestly about their dreams. They want to live in peace, for the word “war” to disappear from their lives. They dream of stories where everyone is happy because no one is fighting. For them, real rest means safety outside a shelter. Above all, they want their hometowns to stay safe and untouched by the war. “I don’t want anyone to take away my home and the place where I was born,” says Marharyta.
The #VoicesOfChildren flash mob reminds adults of their responsibility to hear and understand children. Businesses, civil society organizations, public figures, and caring citizens united so that the voice of childhood could be heard louder.
Voices of Children continues to help Ukrainian families affected by Russia’s invasion. You can support children by making a donation or sharing our updates.
Voices of Children continues to help Ukrainian families affected by Russia’s invasion. You can support children by making a donation or sharing our updates.
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