Ukraine calls on OSCE to pay special attention to illegal deportation and forced Russification of Ukrainian children
In the modern world, where human rights are declared as universal and inviolable, the issue of illegal deportation of children appears as one of the most acute humanitarian tragedies. This is especially relevant for Ukraine, which faced mass abductions of its own children during the war. According to official data, Russia has abducted more than 19,000 Ukrainian children, and more than 1,700 are still missing. These are not just numbers, but destinies, destroyed families, distorted childhoods and attempts to destroy the national identity of entire generations of Ukrainians.
A kidnapping that cannot be forgiven
For in words permanent representative of Ukraine to international organizations in Vienna, Yuriy Vitrenka, these crimes bear the hallmarks of the Kremlin’s genocidal policy. During the meeting of the Permanent Council of the OSCE, he called on the international community to take more active actions to return the kidnapped children home. Vitrenko emphasized that violent Russification and illegal “guardianship” of Ukrainian children is not only a violation of international law, but also a deliberate act of aggression against the Ukrainian nation.
“The illegal deportation and forcible Russification of Ukrainian children is part of the Kremlin’s genocidal policy towards the Ukrainian people. Ukraine will never agree to compromises on this issue. These brazen actions are a deliberate campaign against a national group and a violation of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Ukraine will never agree to compromises on this issue.” Vitrenko said.
Vitrenko drew special attention to the facts of illegal adoption of Ukrainian children in Russia. According to available data, at least 380 children were placed under so-called “temporary care”. This means that these children, deprived of their relatives, ended up in Russian families, where they are trying to deprive them of their own national identity and cultural roots. Only 1,227 children were returned, and this was the result of the hard work of the Ukrainian authorities, human rights organizations and international partners. However, Russia continues to resist and obstruct the return process.
International solidarity is the key to salvation
Ukraine calls on the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the OSCE and other international organizations not to stand aside from this tragedy. In his speech, Vitrenko emphasized the need to unite efforts to ensure the return of all abducted children, as well as guarantee their safety and reintegration into Ukrainian society.
“We consider this a matter of critical importance for future generations. Ukraine expects the OSCE to actively participate in facilitating the return of all deported children, illegally detained civilians and medical workers, in protecting the rights of prisoners of war, as well as in the release of Crimean political prisoners.” Vitrenko said.
Systematic violation of human rights
However, the problem is not limited to child abduction. Vitrenko also drew attention to the systematic violations of human rights taking place in Russian captivity. According to him, Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war are tortured, and they are kept in isolation without access to representatives of international humanitarian organizations, such as the UN or the International Committee of the Red Cross.
“The issue of Russia keeping Ukrainian civilians and military personnel in isolation, as well as denying access to them to representatives of the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross, remains critically important.” Vitrenko emphasized.
The tragedy of kidnapped Ukrainian children is a challenge to the entire civilized world. This is a test for the international legal system, which is designed to protect human rights, and a litmus test for the global community. The issue of returning children is not purely Ukrainian — it is an issue of global justice, which should not be indifferent to crimes against humanity.
The world must be united in its position: abduction of children is not just a crime, it is a challenge to universal human values. And if such crimes go unpunished, it will set a dangerous precedent for future generations.
Every child has the right to his family, to his land, to his culture. Ukraine will continue the fight for the return of every abducted child. And in this struggle, it needs the support of the whole world — from international organizations to caring people who believe in the justice and dignity of human life.
Every day that children remain in illegal custody is another day of a stolen childhood. And every delay in return is a blow to the future not only of Ukraine, but also of all humanity.
