The problem of the illegal transfer of Ukrainian children from the temporarily occupied territories to Russia has become one of the most painful consequences of a full-scale war. This is not only a violation of children’s rights, but also a threat of losing their national identity, roots and ties to their native land. According to Ukrainian human rights defenders, a significant number of minors have been forcibly taken to Russia, where they are isolated from their families and the Ukrainian community. Many of them are being integrated into Russian society by being placed in foster care. In the context of war, when families suffer enormous losses, it becomes an extremely difficult task to trace and return these children.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on international partners to facilitate the return of Ukrainian children who were illegally taken from the temporarily occupied territories to Russia. He said this in his evening address.
‘The most difficult thing is to return not adults, but children. Little Ukrainians who were stolen from their families. Children who were taken from the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine – taken to Russia. And whom Russia is trying to hide,’ Zelenskyy said.
The President explained that in some cases, children can find contact with volunteers, human rights activists or relatives in Ukraine on their own. However, in most cases, the Russians deprive them of any means of communication, take away their documents, and even transfer some of them to Russian families.
‘No one can say exactly how many there are today. We know about tens of thousands. These are very young children and teenagers. Those who have relatives in Ukraine. And those whose relatives, unfortunately, were killed by Russian strikes,’ the head of state stressed.
Zelenskyy also said that this week Canada hosted an international conference with the participation of more than 70 countries and organisations dedicated to the return of all Ukrainian prisoners, deportees and abductees. This is one of the key goals of the Peace Formula initiated by Ukraine, which aims to ensure the return home of all those forcibly torn from their homeland by the war. In particular, the Bring Kids Back UA initiative is working to unite the efforts of Ukraine and intermediary countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and the Vatican, to facilitate the return of abducted children.
‘Our Bring Kids Back UA initiative is working. The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the Vatican – the intermediary countries – and many other countries are working with us for this,’ Zelenskyy said.
The President stressed that Ukraine seeks a just peace that will ensure the return of all those who have been deprived of their homes by the war.
‘Without a just peace that will ensure the return of all those who have been deprived of their homes by the war, it is impossible to achieve a true end to this conflict. Stolen children are not only a humanitarian crisis, but also an attempt to deprive Ukraine of its future, as children are the ones who will carry on the traditions, culture and values of the people.
