Ukraine returned 2 children and their parents from the occupied territories
Ukraine has returned two children and their parents from the occupied territories (photo: Getty Images)
Ukraine, in collaboration with volunteers, has successfully evacuated two minors and their parents from the territories occupied by Russia, according to Mykola Kuleba, the founder of Save Ukraine.
Kuleba stated that the occupying authorities compelled parents to change Ukrainian birth certificates for documents of Russian origin. Additionally, attempts were made to enlist the father into military service.
"Fortunately, the family managed to break free and arrive in Ukraine. The family is now safe," wrote Kuleba.
He noted that volunteers have managed to repatriate 213 Ukrainian children from Russia and temporarily occupied territories.
Deportation of Ukrainian children
In October 2022, the Russian Children's Rights Ombudsman, Maria Lvova-Belova, unlawfully adopted a child deported from Mariupol to Russia. Additionally, she assisted in the illegal adoption of another 350 children from the occupied Donbas region. Such actions are considered crimes under international law.
In March, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ombudsman Maria Lvova-Belova for the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. At present, Putin is subject to arrest in 123 countries that have ratified the Rome Statute or recognized the jurisdiction of the ICC.
Despite this, Russian forces continue to deport Ukrainian children, although Ukraine has managed to repatriate some of them.
For instance, recently, a 17-year-old teenager, Bohdan Yermokhin, returned to Ukraine. He was deported to Russia and faced an attempt to conscript him into the occupying army. He sought assistance from President Volodymyr Zelensky, and with the help provided, he successfully returned home.
