Ukraine managed to return 46 children who were forcibly deported to the aggressor country of the Russian Federation since the beginning of the full-scale war.
Source: Advisor to the President of Ukraine and Ombudsman for children’s rights Daria Herasymchuk
Today, 5,100 cases of child deportation have been officially confirmed, but this number is increasing daily.
“In open sources, the Russian authorities announce the number of 350,000 children allegedly “evacuated” to the Russian Federation. In case of evacuation, these children should have been immediately returned to the territory of Ukraine, but this did not happen.”
That is not “evacuation”, but forced deportation and forced displacement,” states Herasymchuk.
The ombudsman cannot disprove or confirm the figure of 350,000 given by the Russians since they do not provide any lists. She also explained that in order to bring Ukrainian children back, they first have to be identified.
Ukrainian institutions have no access to the occupied territories, so they work with international organiяations to search for children.
“We also know that among these children there is a certain number of children with orphan status and children who have been deprived of parental care. Russia aims to establish procedures of adoption and change of citizenship. This is why this category of children is in great danger”, explains Herasymchuk.
See also: More than 400 Ukrainians, including TPP workers, are captive by Russians in Zaporizhzhia
