Ukraine brings back seven more children from Russian-occupied territories

"Another seven Ukrainian children were brought back from temporarily occupied territories as part of the President's Bring Kids Back UA initiative. The children are between 6 and 17 years old and have spent all these years growing up under constant pressure," said Daria Zarivna, advisor to the head of the Office of the President, Andriy Yermak.

According to her, families were forced to undergo compulsory passportization, children were denied access to Ukrainian education, parents were threatened, homes were searched, and it was nearly impossible to receive medical assistance or move around freely.

"Now these children are home. They will be able to receive education in the Ukrainian language without fear of persecution, grow up in safety, and build their own future in a free Ukraine. I'm grateful to the team of the Ombudsman's Office and international partners for helping rescue these families," added Daria Zarivna.

Deportation of Ukrainian children

According to the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, over 19,500 Ukrainian children have been deported to Russia. So far, more than 1,000 have been successfully returned home.

The deportation of Ukrainian children was one of the main reasons the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia's Commissioner for Children's Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova.

Recently, Ukraine's Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, adopted in the first reading a draft law establishing liability for the illegal transfer and use of children for military purposes by representatives of a foreign state.