Ukraine Secures Return of 1,029 Children Under Bring Kids Back UA Initiative

As of December 7, 2024, Ukraine, in collaboration with international partners, has successfully facilitated the return of 1,029 Ukrainian children previously deported to Russia. This was confirmed by Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada  Commissioner for Human Rights, during a national telethon.

Lubinets emphasized that Qatar plays a central role in mediating these efforts. According to the Commissioner, the process involves identifying the children’s location, restoring their documentation, and coordinating with international partners who engage directly with Russian authorities. Once agreements are secured, logistical arrangements are made for the children’s return to Ukraine.

“The main challenge remains verification,” Lubinets stated, pointing out that Russia continues to withhold information about Ukrainian children.

The scale of the issue is significant. Since the start of the full-scale war, over 20,000 Ukrainian children have reportedly been forcibly deported by Russia. A report from the Yale School of Public Health’s Humanitarian Research Lab has identified at least 314 cases where Ukrainian children were subjected to forced adoption and placement within Russian families.

Additionally, Ukrainian officials warn that approximately 1.5 million Ukrainian children face a heightened risk of deportation. Reports have documented cases where children were sent to filtration camps before being placed in foster care or adoption programs in Russia. Some were reportedly relocated to camps designed for ideological indoctrination.

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights, on charges related to the unlawful deportation of children from occupied Ukrainian territories.