“Barbaric Crime”: US Senator Threatens Russia With Tougher Measures Over Child Abductions in Ukraine

Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, welcomed a strong statement from US Senator Lindsey Graham warned that Moscow could face even harsher consequences if it refuses to return abducted Ukrainian children, Yermak wrote on X on August 21.

“Senator Lindsey Graham called Russia’s kidnapping of Ukrainian children a barbaric crime. He made it clear: if the children are not returned, he will push to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism,” Yermak said.

“We are grateful to our partners in the United States for such a principled stance. The return of our children is not up for negotiation. It is a condition for a just peace and for humanity to prevail over terror.”

Graham himself reiterated his pledge in a statement:

“During the course of the Russia-Ukraine war, Russia has kidnapped over 19,000 Ukrainian children. Stealing children from their home country is a despicable and barbaric act. As I have been saying since earlier this year, I intend to push legislation to designate Russia a state sponsor of terrorism under US law if they do not return the children.

This designation will make doing business with Putin’s Russia radioactive for other countries and businesses.”

The forced deportation of children has become one of the most damning charges against Russia’s war conduct. International investigators, including the International Criminal Court, have already accused senior Russian officials—including Vladimir Putin—of orchestrating the deportations.

Earlier, reports emerged that Russian aggression resulted in 44% of children in Ukraine exhibiting signs of potential PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), according to Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska.

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