Ukrainian children who lost loved ones in war to address UN private session

It is hoped that telling of personal stories in New York will resonate with Republicans at a time when US military aid package is stalled

A small group of Ukrainian child survivors of war will address a private meeting at the UN in New York, timed to coincide with a meeting of the security council on Friday, as part of an effort by Kyiv to remind Americans of the human costs of a conflict increasingly affected by US domestic politics.

Those due to address the event include Kira, 14, and Ilya, 11, from the besieged city of Mariupol, and the hope is that their personal stories will resonate with Republicans at a time when a military aid for Ukraine package is stalled in the House.