Ukraine continues to return children illegally removed from the occupied territories
In the conditions of a full-scale war, which Russia has unleashed against Ukraine, the struggle for the life and future of every child becomes a priority for the Ukrainian authorities. One of the most pressing issues is the return of children illegally deported from the occupied territories. This problem is not only a humanitarian, but also a national tragedy. Ukraine is working tirelessly to bring the little Ukrainians home, restore their rights and ensure a safe future.
November 29 was another step in this process: Ukraine returned eight children taken from the temporarily occupied territories of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson regions and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. About this reported Human Rights Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Lubinets in his Telegram channel.
Return of children: details of the operation
The family circumstances and critical conditions in which the children found themselves in the occupied territories prompted the adults who were close to them to take decisive action. Thanks to the coordinated work of Ukrainian state bodies and international partners, the children were returned to the government-controlled territory.
The age category of the returned children is from six to 16 years. Due to the difficult physical and psychological condition of some of them, they were met by special teams of doctors in the ambulance. Among the returnees is a boy from the Oleshkiv Children’s Boarding Home. After the beginning of the full-scale invasion, this institution was evacuated by the Russian occupiers to Skadovsk, and later to the territory of the Russian Federation.
International mediators played a special role in the return of children. The seven children were returned with the help of the state of Qatar, which acted as an intermediary country. Another boy was returned with the help of the Veterans Alliance organization, which actively helps in humanitarian issues.
Scales of deportation
According to the National Information Bureau of Ukraine, Russia has deported or forcibly relocated more than 19,000 Ukrainian children since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. This is a gross violation of international law, in particular the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the forced transfer of civilians, especially children, from occupied territories.
Such actions of Russia are aimed not only at violating the sovereignty of Ukraine, but also at eradicating the national identity of small Ukrainians. Forced Russification, deprivation of contact with families, attempts to change citizenship are elements of criminal policy that have signs of genocide.
Ukraine does not stop
Returning children home is not just a humanitarian mission, but evidence that Ukraine is ready to continue fighting for each of its citizens, regardless of age or place of residence. Thanks to diplomatic efforts, cooperation with international organizations and the support of partners in the world, Ukraine continues to achieve success in this struggle.
This story of children’s return is just one of many examples of how important it is to join forces to protect the rights of the most vulnerable. Every saved child is a victory over the aggressor who seeks to destroy Ukraine’s future.
Ukraine will not stop working until every child is returned home, to their family and their country.
