In Ukraine, 109 empty strollers represent the children killed by Russian attacks

LVIV, Ukraine — A solemn tribute was organized in Lviv, Ukraine, where empty strollers were left to stand as a memorial to the children killed by violence since Russia’s invasion in February.

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Lviv City Hall placed the 109 empty strollers outside in its plaza, with each stroller representing a child’s life, Ukrainian authorities told Reuters.

“Remember your children when they were small and sitting in strollers like these,” said Zhuravka Natalia Tonkovyt. “Some (children) will not be put into these strollers because they are dead. Compare it to your own children, remember your feelings towards your own children … I want to see no empty stroller.”

Ukrainian federal prosecutors said Friday that 109 children had been killed in the Russian invasion, and another 130 injured, NPR reported. The largest number of victims came from Kyiv Oblast, where 55 children were killed. NPR said federal prosecutors have warned the numbers are only preliminary, since the office’s staff has not been able to inspect active sites.

Lviv’s mayor, Andriy Sadovyi, shared a video of the strollers on Facebook, calling it, “Price of war.”

Russia has said its action in Ukraine is a “special military operation” and has denied targeting civilians.

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Photos: 109 empty strollers represent Ukrainian children killed TOPSHOT - In this picture taken on March 18, 2022, 109 empty strollers are seen placed outside the Lviv city council during an action to highlight the number of children killed in the ongoing Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Yuriy Dyachyshyn / AFP) (Photo by YURIY DYACHYSHYN/AFP via Getty Images) (YURIY DYACHYSHYN/AFP via Getty Images)