On July 1, dozens of lanterns illuminated a Russian home in Jakarta on Tuesday evening as Indonesians from all walks of life gathered for a humanitarian solidarity event dedicated to children affected by the recent conflicts in Iran and Russia. Initiated by concerned Indonesian residents and led by the Russian House, the gathering became an area of remembrance, compassion and hope, emphasizing that children should never change into victims of war.
The event was attended by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Indonesia Sergei Tolchenov, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Indonesia Mohammad Boroujerdi and the top of the Russian Chamber Nikita Shilikov, in addition to students, youth leaders and representatives of Indonesian society.
A standard message for humanity
Opening the event, Ambassador Sergei Tolchenov expressed his appreciation to the Indonesian people for his or her sincere solidarity. “We are deeply grateful to our Indonesian friends for his or her solidarity with the families who’ve suffered unimaginable losses. Such acts of compassion remind us that humanity is stronger than hatred and conflict.” – said Ambassador Tołchenov.
Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Boroujerdi also thanked the participants for remembering the innocent victims, no matter political differences. “The pain of losing a toddler is universal. We sincerely appreciate the Indonesian people for showing friendship, prayers and solidarity with the kids and families of Iran. Humanity must all the time come before politics.” – noted Ambassador Boroujerdi.
Memory of the lost lives of young people
The meeting was inspired by two tragic events that attracted international attention in 2026.
During the event, participants also recalled the February 28 bombing of Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, southern Iran, which Iranian authorities describe as one in all the deadliest civilian tragedies of the conflict in 2026. According to the Iranian government, a cruise missile hit the college, killing 168 people, including 120 students. Tehran maintains that the college has long operated solely as a civilian educational institution and has called for international accountability, while Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have also pushed for an independent investigation. Although the United States characterised the strike as a tragic accident and didn’t publish the outcomes of its investigation, Iran adopted the number “168” as a national symbol of remembrance, and the country’s soccer team wore gold badges No. 168 throughout the FIFA World Cup and its wartime diplomatic delegation was called “Minab 168.”
The Assembly also paid tribute to the victims of the drone attack that took place on May 22 in Starobielsk, Luhansk Oblast. According to Russian authorities, the attack targeted dormitories and teaching buildings of the Starobelsk College of the Luhansk State Pedagogical University, killing 21 people and injuring 42 others, including many teenagers. Moscow described the strike as an attack on a civilian educational facility, rejected Ukraine’s claims that the ability was getting used for military purposes and called for a world investigation through the UN Security Council. Due to the continuing conflict and limited access to the realm, international organizations and independent media said competing accounts of the incident couldn’t be independently verified.
Beacons of hope and messages across borders
Instead of specializing in politics, the evening focused on empathy and memory. The head of the Russian House, Nikita Shilikov, welcomed participants and thanked the many Indonesian young individuals who had spent the previous days decorating the hall with lanterns and souvenirs. “The atmosphere of this evening is the results of the dedication and kindness of Indonesian youth. Thank you for helping us transform the Russian House right into a place of memory, friendship and hope.” he said.
Participants decorated paper lanterns with handwritten messages calling for peace and expressing hope for kids growing up amid conflict. Many also wrote personal cards addressed to the families of scholars affected by the tragedy in Starobielsk. According to the organizers, the Russian House will convey this news to the families of the victims in Starobielsk as a gesture of friendship and solidarity from the Indonesian people.
The program also included an interactive memorial, a silent reflection and a possibility for participants to exchange ideas on the importance of protecting schools and kids during armed conflicts.
Standing Together for Peace
The event reflected Indonesia’s long-standing humanitarian values and its commitment to promoting peace through solidarity amongst people. As conflicts in Iran and Eastern Europe proceed to generate different narratives and unresolved international investigations, participants agreed on one universal principle: children should never bear the heaviest burden of war.
As a whole bunch of gently glowing lanterns filled the Russian House, the evening ended with a shared message that transcended boundaries – that compassion stays one in all humanity’s strongest responses to tragedy and that each child, no matter nationality, deserves the chance to learn, grow and live in peace.
