In less than two weeks of the Russian Federation's invasion, at least 37 children have been killed and 50 injured, and more than a million children have been forced to leave Ukraine for neighboring countries, said Catherine M. Russell, Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

However, in her statement, she stressed that she was stunned by the information about an attack on the maternity hospital in Mariupol on March 9.

"An attack which reportedly left young children and women in labor buried beneath the rubble of destroyed buildings. We do not yet know the number of casualties but fear the worst. This attack, if confirmed, underscores the horrific toll this war is exacting on Ukraine's children and families," Catherine M. Russell said.

"Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure – including hospitals, water and sanitation systems and schools – are unconscionable and must stop immediately," UNICEF said.

"UNICEF renews its call for an immediate cease-fire and urges all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect children from harm, and to ensure that humanitarian actors can safely and quickly reach children in need," the Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund said in the statement.