Children are often the first victims of war, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine is no exception. The official death tally among civilians in Ukraine included 14 children until Tuesday, but the numbers are expected to be much higher.

Survival in a war-torn region involves displacement, loss of life of guardians, and a scarcity of food and resources – making children the most vulnerable. The children of Ukraine have found themselves sheltering in basements and subway stations; some have lost their parents, while others have accompanied their families in their attempts to flee the country.

Across Ukraine and in refugee shelters on the borders, parents have struggled to comfort their children. Mothers rock them on subway platforms or carry them for miles in the cold, as seen in heartwrenching photos captured by Associated Press.