Ukrainian Lawmaker Introduces ‘Turtle Game’ to Teach Kids Safety During Russian Attacks

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Kira Zamorska, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament, recently shared a poignant method being used to help children cope with the ongoing Russian invasion. Explaining the situation to young ones is incredibly challenging, but Zamorska has introduced a game known as the “turtle game” to teach them how to respond during airstrikes.

“The hardest part is conveying to children what is happening. So, we created this little game called the turtle game, which helps them understand how to behave during an attack,” Zamorska explained in an interview with a news outlet. “You instruct them to lie flat on their bellies, open their mouths, cover their ears with their hands, and pretend to be turtles. Sadly, we’ve had to play this game more than once today.”

Essentially, the turtle game serves as a gentler way to instruct children to duck and cover—similar to how U.S. children were taught during the Cold War with the character Bert the Turtle.

The Impact of the Conflict on Children

As the conflict escalates, the toll on children has been devastating, with reports indicating that up to 14 children have already lost their lives due to the invasion. One of the first victims was a fourth-grader named Alina, who was killed when a Russian reconnaissance group targeted her family. Another child, whose name has not been disclosed, was tragically killed by cluster munitions while seeking shelter at a nursery in Okhtyrka, Sumy Oblast.

Amnesty International has condemned the use of such munitions in populated areas, emphasizing that this attack on a civilian shelter could constitute a war crime. “It is horrifying to witness an indiscriminate strike on a nursery where families are desperately seeking safety. Such actions must be thoroughly investigated,” stated Agnès Callamard, the organization’s secretary general.

How to Help

For those looking to support Ukraine during this crisis, several verified organizations are actively working to assist refugees. You can find more information on how to help through various humanitarian aid websites.