**Tragedy in Ukraine: 12-Year-Old Boy Killed by Russian Missile**
A devastating attack on the city of Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, has claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy named Maksym Shaulskyi. The young boy was killed along with his 75-year-old grandmother and two other civilians in a Russian missile strike on September 21.
Maksym’s mother, Nataliia Shaulska, is still trying to come to terms with the loss of her youngest son. She had returned to civilian life just three weeks before the attack, having served in the Ukrainian Armed Forces when one of her sons was captured by Russia.
The boy’s biggest dream was to see his older brother Mykyta, who has been a prisoner of war since 2022. Maksym and his family regularly took part in rallies calling for the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war from Russian captivity.
**A Family Forever Changed**
Maksym’s mother spoke of her own experience, saying she thought about how the person who launched the missile might also have children of Maksym’s age. She wished for a punishment that would be fitting, but acknowledged that no punishment could bring back her son.
The family is now facing another challenge, as Mykyta remains in Russian captivity. His mother hopes he will soon be released, but fears how he will cope with the devastating news about his brother and grandmother.
**A Tragic Reality**
Maksym’s death highlights a tragic reality for many Ukrainian families. Since February 24, 2022, at least 578 Ukrainian children have been killed by Russian forces, according to national data. The actual number of civilian casualties is likely much higher, as it doesn’t account for fatalities in Russian-occupied territories.
The United Nations estimates that at least 11,743 civilians have been killed and 24,614 injured since the start of the full-scale invasion.
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