The article highlights the plight of approximately 7,000 underage Ukrainian citizens currently living in Latvia as a result of the conflict. These children, referred to as 'war children,' have spent a substantial part of their young lives in forced exile, away from their homes. Those who remain in Ukraine face daily threats from Russian missiles and drones, often seeking refuge in metro stations and basements while battling cold conditions in their homes. The situation emphasizes the dire circumstances in which these children find themselves, greatly impacting their formative years.

The Ukrainian Child Protection Action Project (UCAP) has reported that over a third of Ukrainian children demonstrate elevated levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or symptoms consistent with diagnosed PTSD. Commonly reported symptoms include persistent difficulties with attention, increased nervousness or anxiety, and sleep disturbances. This troubling mental state underscores the substantial psychological toll the war is taking on children, affecting not only their immediate well-being but also their long-term development and integration into new environments.

The article emphasizes the critical importance of understanding the specific challenges faced by teenagers who have undergone such traumatic experiences during their key formative years. Educators and specialists like Irina Litvina stress the need to consider the effects of war on personality and psyche development when addressing the integration of these children into society. The insights presented point to the urgent need for effective support systems and interventions to aid in the healing and integration process for these young individuals, aiming to help them reclaim a sense of normalcy in their lives amidst chaos.