Children in Ukraine adapt to survive amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia's invasion.

Twelve-year-old Lera is on a journey to walk once more. At first, her steps are tentative, but with each one, her confidence grows.

Last summer, during a Russian missile attack, one of Lera's legs was shattered, and the other suffered severe burns.

This attack is part of a larger conflict initiated by Vladimir Putin's invasion, which has resulted in the injury or death of nearly 2,000 children in Ukraine. However, the scars of war aren't always visible like the ones etched onto Lera's leg.

Psychologist Kateryna Bazyl emphasizes the widespread impact of the war on children, noting the surge in cases of various unpleasant symptoms among them.

Across Ukraine, young people grapple with loss, fear, and anxiety, leading to sleep disturbances, panic attacks, and flashbacks. A concerning rise in child depression also marks this generation growing up amidst conflict.

In Chernihiv, northern Ukraine, Lera Vasilenko, now 12, navigates life with one crutch, having to relearn the art of walking after being injured by a Russian missile. 

She vividly recalls the moment of the attack, a blur of activity in the bustling city center, where she and her friend Kseniya were selling their homemade jewelry.

The sight of the missile descending caught her attention briefly before chaos ensued. Only when Kseniya drew attention to her injured leg did Lera register the pain, realizing the magnitude of the situation amidst the panic and shock.