“Garden of Children’s Dreams”: Memorial Trees Planted in Ukraine and 10 Other Countries in Honour of Children Killed in Russia’s War

On October 31, 2026, as part of the global environmental initiative Greening of the Planet, the Garden of Children’s Dreams campaign took place, bringing together people to plant memorial trees in honour of Ukrainian children whose lives were taken by Russia’s war.

The main event was held at the M. M. Hryshko National Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Kyiv. Participants from 10 other countries also joined the initiative, with tree-planting events taking place simultaneously around the world. The campaign thus united people from different corners of the globe around a shared goal: preserving the memory of every child.

In Ukraine, 88 crabapple trees were planted in memory of the 88 Ukrainian children killed as a result of Russian aggression in 2026. Each tree became a symbol of remembrance, love, and a life that should have continued.

“We named this project the ‘Garden of Children’s Dreams’ because every child had dreams, plans, and an entire lifetime ahead of them. The war took away their chance to make those dreams come true, but it must not take away our memory of them. We are planting crabapple trees so that they bloom every spring and remind us of these young lives. So that people can pause here, reflect, and remember. And so that the memory of these children lives on not only in the figures of tragic statistics, but also in places filled with life. Our greatest dream is for this project to come to an end one day - because that would mean our children could grow up under a peaceful Ukrainian sky,” says Yana Liakhovych, Chief Communications Officer at 1+1 Media.

The Garden of Children’s Dreams is more than a tree-planting initiative. It is a place of remembrance that will honour the lives of children whose futures were cut short by the war and remind adults of their responsibility to preserve their memory.

“This time, we planted 88 trees. Unfortunately, however, the number of children whose lives have been taken by the war continues to grow. We are planting trees in different countries, but they all share one purpose: to preserve the memory of Ukrainian children whose lives were taken by the war. It is important to us that this memory knows no borders - that people in different parts of the world learn about the tragedy of Ukrainian families and understand the price Ukraine pays every day. Every tree planted is a sign of solidarity, compassion, and responsibility. It is also a reminder that behind every number is a child who had the right to life and a future,” says Anna Krysiuk, initiator of the global environmental initiative Greening of the Planet.

The initiative was supported by public figures, business representatives, volunteers, partners, and concerned members of the community.

The event’s partners included Business Woman Club, World Ukrainians NGO, BusinessWoman magazine, the Book of World Records, the Wings of the Eighth Hundred NGO, the local organization representing family members of fallen and deceased veterans, defenders of Ukraine, athletes, and professionals from relevant sectors (Iryna Mikhniuk), Brusvyana berry nursery (Liliana Dmytriieva), One Love Coffee (Maria), Yarynychyna Pich bakery (Alla Babeniuk), and Feskov Human Reproduction Group (Vladyslav Feskov).

1+1 Media and the Greening of Ukraine Charitable Foundation launched this project in 2023 to create living memorial spaces honouring children who lost their lives as a result of the war.

Crabapple trees were chosen for a reason. Their delicate spring blossoms symbolize the purity, innocence, and beauty of childhood. Blooming anew every year, these trees will serve as a reminder of the young lives lost, the dreams left unfulfilled, and a memory that must live on.