A young boy in the Ukraine is lucky to be alive after being set on fire by school bullies.
Eight-year-old Kyrylo Yatsun suffered burns to 35 percent of his body, after being attacked by older children near his home, reports the Mirror.
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The attackers poured petrol on the boy's T-shirt before setting him on fire, according to local media.
The boy underwent several surgeries after being rushed to intensive care. Patches of damaged skin were removed from his head, arms, torso and hips.
"The boy was hospitalised in a grave condition with severe burns to 35 percent of his body," Artem Posunko from Dnipro Regional Children’s Hospital said to local media, according to the Mirror.
"We do everything possible to keep him alive. He is conscious and can speak but his injuries are very serious and his condition is still life-threatening."
Speaking to local media, the boy's mother said she ran outside to help after some children alerted her.
"He told me that they did it to him on purpose without any reason. They are not children, they are monsters."
Police were said to be talking to the children who allegedly set fire to the boy.
"The suspects say that they did not intend to set the victim on fire and that it was an accident. The investigation is ongoing," police spokesperson Anna Starchevskaya said.
Kyrylo is expected to need another two months in hospital to recover.
Newshub.
