One of the most acute problems caused by the war is the abduction of Ukrainian children and their forcible deportation to Russia. This phenomenon has become not only a moral challenge, but also a serious humanitarian issue, which Ukraine is trying to solve, despite numerous difficulties. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, has repeatedly emphasized this problem, stressing its critical importance both for the state and for each individual family.
Why returning children is an extremely difficult task
Volodymyr Zelenskyy explained why the process of returning children is particularly difficult. Unlike prisoners of war, which can be exchanged, children are not subject to exchange. Ukraine has not abducted a single Russian child, so there is no way to negotiate an exchange. This creates a unique situation where alternative return mechanisms must be sought. This is the president said in an interview with CBN.
According to him, Russia often blocks any attempts at dialogue on this issue. The Kremlin shows contempt for the international community and legal norms, which further complicates the process. At the same time, Ukraine is trying to use all possible diplomatic and international tools to solve this problem.
“It is very difficult with children… Because we cannot exchange children for children. There are our forcibly deported Ukrainian children. We have no Russian children. We did not steal anyone, we did not deport anyone. This has never happened. And even our operation in the Kursk region is proof of that. Not a single person was stolen, we did not kill a single civilian, not a single child was harmed there.” – emphasized Zelensky.
What is Ukraine doing to solve the problem
Ukraine uses all possible tools to return its children. It is important that our state works not only with directly abducted children, but also with international partners, organizations and humanitarian structures.
Volodymyr Zelenskyi emphasized that efforts are aimed not only at the return of children, but also at recording each case of abduction, which will become the evidence base for further bringing the perpetrators to justice. Working with children who have experienced a traumatic experience also requires the participation of psychologists and specialists who help restore their emotional state.
The scale of child abduction
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine, numerous cases of forcible transfer of Ukrainian children to the territory of the aggressor have been recorded. According to the president, Ukraine has verified 19,500 cases of deportation of children, although the real number may be much higher. The Russian ombudsman announced the removal of 700,000 Ukrainian children – a terrible figure that causes outrage. Regardless of the accuracy of this data, the scale of the abduction is catastrophic, and Russia’s actions are a gross violation of international law, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Deportation of children has not only a physical, but also a psychological dimension. Kidnapped children are often subjected to propaganda, violent “re-education” and psychological pressure, which leaves deep trauma. In many cases, they try to separate them from their national identity, integrating them into Russian society.
International mediators and first successes
In search of solutions, Ukraine actively involves international partners. Intermediary countries, including Qatar and the Vatican, play a significant role in the return of children. In addition, the United States, the European Union, and Australia joined the international coalition for the return of Ukrainian children. According to Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, thanks to their support, 1,030 children have already been returned.
For example, five children were recently returned from Russia and the temporarily occupied territories. Among them were three young Ukrainians who came of age under conditions of psychological pressure in Russia. Another young man was able to leave the occupied territory, where he had been deprived of family support for a long time.
These examples demonstrate that even in difficult conditions, the return of children is possible. However, the process requires considerable effort, time and diplomatic skills.
Moral responsibility of the world
The return of Ukrainian children is not only a matter of national importance, but also a test for the international community. Each state that joins this process demonstrates solidarity with the principles of protection of human rights and humanity. The war in Ukraine exposed the terrible aspects of the modern world, but it also showed that joint efforts can achieve significant results.
The return of abducted children is a matter of honor for Ukraine and the entire civilized world. Each returned child is a victory of humanity over cruelty, a symbol of the indomitability of the Ukrainian people and their desire for freedom and justice. Despite all the difficulties, Ukraine continues to fight for its children, because their future is the future of the entire country.
