KIEV, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least 242 children have been killed since the start of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, the press service of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said on Friday.
According to the ministry, 27 children lost their lives after stepping on landmines, while others were killed in crossfire between the conflicting sides.
Besides, about 2,000 children have been injured in the confrontation that has been under way since April 2014.
The conflict in eastern Ukraine started after government forces launched offensives to regain control of the cities and villages seized by armed groups which had declared independence from Kiev.
The armed confrontation has claimed the lives of more than 3,000 civilians and injured more than 9,000 others, according to a statement from the United Nations Office in Ukraine in September.
