US joins International Coalition for Return of Ukrainian Children

The US has recognized the Russian armed forces as a party committing serious violations regarding children in the war against Ukraine.

"We note the report of the UN Secretary-General Children and Armed Conflict A/77/895–S/2023/363, in which Russia’s armed forces and affiliated armed groups are included in the list of parties committing grave violations against children in armed conflict," the US State Department said.

The US also emphasized that human rights must be respected in the war.

"International humanitarian law and human rights law must be respected in the context of the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine, including by addressing the illegal deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation," the State Department said.

The US will assist in assisting children affected by illegal deportations.

"Supporting efforts to bring those responsible for organizing the illegal deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children to justice consistent with international law," the State Department said.

Deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russia has been deporting Ukrainian children regularly to annex Crimea, Belarus, or remote areas of Russia.

The illegal removal of Ukrainian children led to the International Criminal Court in The Hague issuing an arrest warrant in March 2023 for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and the authorized representative for children's rights in Russia, Maria Lvova-Belova, for the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children.

Earlier, we reported that, according to the National Resistance Center, occupiers are preparing new lists for the mass deportation of Ukrainian children.

By the way, in October 2022, Russian Ombudswoman Maria Lvova-Belova illegally adopted a child from Mariupol.