Couple creates online gallery of art drawn by Ukrainian children

UKRAINE (WKRC/CBS Newspath) - According to the Ukrainian government Friday, nearly 200 children have been killed in the Russian invasion so far, and at least 355 have been injured

As countless families suffer from violence and loss, one family in Ukraine is helping children deal with the trauma through art.

When the invasion forced the Bykovetz family to flee Kyiv in February, six-year-old Sonya took the toys she could carry, and drew pictures of what she left behind -- like her cat.

Her art inspired her parents, Nastia and Artem, to collect drawings from other Ukrainian kids and post them online for everyone to see.

"To feel them not alone, but part of a bigger community," Artem said.

From ages five and up, each child tells a story. One child drew her mother, who is fighting as a sniper.

"Some pictures show real war, bombs, missiles," Nastia said. "The drawing helps them express their emotions."

The pictures portray innocence stolen, and prayers for protection and peace.

"Maybe it's very hard for them to speak about it. They don't know what's going on," said Artem. "It's creating, like, a parallel world, you know, in which you could feel safe."

The couple, who is still searching for safety, says encouraging kids to draw can also help parents like them.

"Sending them to sit somewhere and turn on their fantasy and put it on the paper, gives to the parents, also, an opportunity to recharge the battery," Artem said.

And they hope these creations will show the world the suffering and strength of their nation.

"We hope that people looking on these pictures can feel compassion to support kids, to support Ukraine," said Nastia.

When the war ends, they say, it's Ukraine's children who will rebuild their country.