Published on: 2026-07-23
Source: United Nations – Объединенные Нации –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Evgenia Kleshcheva
July 23, 2026 Peace and Security
Sasha Pascal has been practicing rhythmic gymnastics since early childhood. In 2022, in the first months after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the girl suffered severe injuries as a result of an attack in the Odessa region. A fallen slab crushed the bones of her leg. The six-year-old girl was put into a medically induced coma for 15 days, but the doctors were unable to save the limb.
Despite the injury — both physical and psychological — after rehabilitation, Sasha began training again and performing dance and acrobatic elements using a modern prosthesis. Over the past four years, she has participated in several competitions alongside her peers and even won some of them.
This week, a 10-year-old gymnast performed her routine at Times Square in New York. Ahead of the performance, Sasha and her mother Maria visited the United Nations headquarters in New York and met there with the UN News Service.
Photo provided by the Pascal family Sasha Pascal’s performance at Times Square.
According to Maria, the purpose of such performances is to remind people of the ongoing war and to show the strength of spirit of Ukrainian children.
“The main message is for people not to forget that the war is still ongoing,” she said. According to the woman, what Sasha and other Ukrainian children need most of all is peace.
Heroine of an inclusive comic
Sasha’s story formed the basis of the children’s inclusive comic “The Heart Sees More Than the Eyes.” Its main character, like the young athlete, continues practicing gymnastics after a leg amputation. The comic was created as part of the UPSHIFT program with the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The project is designed to help children better understand people with disabilities and show that they have equal rights with others and should have the opportunity to develop their potential. In addition to publishing the comic, its creators conduct interactive sessions for children aged six to eleven. During the meetings, schoolchildren discuss inclusion and learn to communicate and play with peers with disabilities. Sasha herself took part in one of these sessions.
Children of Ukraine
This story is one of many stories of Ukrainian children whose lives have been changed by the war.
According to UNICEF, more than a third of Ukrainian children – nearly 2.6 million – are still forced to be away from home. About 791 thousand of them are displaced within the country, and 1.8 million live as refugees outside its borders.
Since February 2022, more than 3,400 children have been killed or injured as a result of shelling and other attacks. The actual numbers are likely higher, as the UN can only confirm cases where the necessary information was obtained and verified.
KMDA Inclusive comic created based on the story of Sasha Pascal.
June recorded the highest monthly number of child casualties since 2022: seven killed and 116 injured. The situation did not improve in July. According to reports, just in the past week across Ukraine, two children have been killed as a result of attacks, and more than 50 have been injured.
Ongoing hostilities seriously restrict children’s access to education. More than 1,700 schools and other educational institutions have been damaged or destroyed, and every third child is unable to attend classes in person on a regular and full-time basis.
The situation remains particularly severe in the frontline areas. According to UNICEF, signs of emotional distress or developmental delays are observed in 83 percent of young children living in these areas.
UNICEF and its partners provide families with humanitarian, medical, and psychological assistance, promote the continuation of education, restore schools and water supply systems, and also support inclusive projects.
The Role of Sports
Today Sasha trains for three to four hours five times a week and continues to compete in tournaments. At the same time, she wins medals in contests where children without any injuries or limitations participate. Recently, the young Ukrainian won a gold medal at an international tournament in Romania.
Before traveling to New York, Sasha performed in Paris, where she also met with representatives of the UNESCO Sports Committee. During the meeting, they discussed, among other things, how Sasha’s story of resilience inspires Ukrainian children and how sports help overcome life challenges.
Photo provided by the Pascal family Sasha Pascal during a visit to the UN headquarters in New York.
According to Maria, sports played an important role not only in her daughter’s physical recovery but also in helping her regain self-confidence.
“I think that if it weren’t for sports, everything would be much worse. She would have closed herself off, been ashamed of her prosthesis. But when she competes, she is not shy, she becomes more confident,” said Sasha’s mother. Watching her daughter’s performances in different countries and on large stages, Maria feels primarily pride.
Sasha herself admits that she sometimes gets nervous before competitions, but this does not stop her from stepping onto the mat. Addressing other children who want to do sports but doubt their abilities, she wished them “not to give up and to keep moving forward.” “And don’t be afraid of anything,” the gymnast added.
In the future, the athlete dreams of representing Ukraine at the Paralympic Games – if rhythmic gymnastics is added to the program. And the main message of her story, she considers, are simple words: “It’s important for people to do what they love and not give up.”
Please be advised; This information is raw content obtained directly from the information source. It represents an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.