The article by Mr. Ruslan Nimchynskyi, the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Cyprus

The forced deportation of Ukrainian children has become a major humanitarian crisis.

The Kremlin regime continues the criminal practice of forcible transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children and in every possible way impedes their repatriation and reunification with their families in Ukraine.

Russian Children’s Rights Commissioner M. Lvova-Belova has publicly stated that over 700,000 Ukrainian children have been «settled» in Russia, with many scattered across the country. Documented cases include 19,546 children, with 4,390 orphans or children lacking parental care being illegally transferred. Currently, 1,700 children are reported missing.

Many children were taken after their parents were arrested or killed by Russian forces, or after becoming separated during active combat. Some have been removed from institutional care under the pretext of relocation for their so-called safety.

Reports from international organizations indicate that Russia has used «summer camps» and other facilities to facilitate these abductions.

After the deportation of Ukrainian children, the occupants continue to commit illegal acts against them — changing their citizenship, transferring them to Russian families, and rejecting their attempts to leave Russia at the border.

At least 380 Ukrainian children have been placed under so-called »temporary guardianship» (illegally adopted) in Russia.

According to a Yale University Humanitarian Research Lab report »Russia’s systematic program of coerced adoption and fostering of Ukraine’s children», at least 314 Ukrainian children taken from Donetsk and Luhansk regions were placed in at least 21 regions of Russia. Some of them have already been transferred to Russian families or registered in Russian databases for adoption.

The Russian government is systematically removing and re-educating these children. All Ukrainian children in Russia are subjected to propaganda promoting the so-called «Russian world.» These actions are part of efforts to erase Ukrainian identity among the youth through indoctrination and forced assimilation into Russian culture.

The Kremlin’s strategy is not only to control territory but also to reshape the cultural landscape by assimilating Ukrainian children into Russian society through coercive means.

Reports from international organizations and evidence collected by Ukrainian authorities reveal that some children are subjected to military training as part of this indoctrination process.

Ukrainian children are often placed in facilities where they undergo indoctrination to erase their Ukrainian identity and instill pro-Russian sentiments.

The consequences of these actions are profound. Many returned children exhibit signs of trauma and distress, having been in environments designed to suppress their Ukrainian identity. Reports describe instances where children are prohibited from speaking Ukrainian or displaying national symbols.

The forced deportation of Ukrainian children by Russian authorities represents a grave violation of human rights and poses significant challenges to their future well-being and identity. The ongoing Russian aggression continues to exacerbate this humanitarian crisis, necessitating immediate international attention and action.

The forced deportation of Ukrainian children by Russian forces represents a grave humanitarian issue with implications for both international law and human rights.

The deportation practices violate numerous articles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), including the right to identity, family unity, education, and protection from inhumane treatment.

The ongoing situation demands urgent attention and action from the global community to safeguard these vulnerable individuals and restore their rights.

As part of ongoing efforts, Ukraine has managed to repatriate some children from occupied territories. Ukraine, together with Canada, launched the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, which was joined by 41 countries and the Council of Europe. Thanks to the joint efforts of the Coalition members, 1 041 children have been brought home, 449 of them – in 2024.

Following the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of the Peace Formula in Montreal, participants approved a Joint Communique, with its central component being the Montreal Pledge, aimed at facilitating the return of all Ukrainian captives and deportees. We have established a network of specific countries that have pledged targeted assistance in the return of children.

The problem of returning Ukrainian children from the territory of the state aggressor is deeply intertwined with the broader ramifications of the ongoing Russian aggression. Addressing this issue requires concerted efforts at local, national, and international levels, grounded in the principles of human rights and humanitarian law.

Illegal deportation and forced Russification of Ukrainian children is part of the Kremlin’s genocidal policy against the Ukrainian people. These actions represent a deliberate ethnic cleansing campaign in violation of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Ukraine calls on the international community to demand from Russia to provide full information about the deported children, ensure access to their places of residence and support efforts for their return and reintegration.

The world should not watch, we need to act, the plight of these innocent victims must remain a focal point of discourse, ultimately leading to their safe and secure return home.

The international community must remain vigilant and proactive in addressing this crisis. Continued pressure on Russia, support for Ukraine, and efforts to uphold international law are essential in resolving this humanitarian issue. The plight of these children serves as a stark reminder of the broader impacts of conflict and the urgent need for peace and justice.