Since the onset of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has successfully repatriated 2,000 children who were taken to temporarily occupied territories or Russia. This announcement was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“Today we have an important result – 2,000 Ukrainian children have been brought home from Russian-controlled areas as part of the Bring Kids Back UA initiative,” Zelensky stated.
He emphasized that each successful return was made possible through the dedicated efforts of Ukrainians, civil organizations, and international partners.
“We are grateful to everyone who has contributed to this fight for the future of our children, our country, and the entire free world,” Zelensky added.
Despite these achievements, he acknowledged the long and challenging road ahead, noting that thousands of Ukrainian children remain captives in Russia and continue to suffer from its actions.
“But we will not stop until we bring every Ukrainian child home,” the president asserted.
Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets highlighted that behind each statistic lies a specific child, family, and a journey filled with fear and uncertainty. He recounted the first successful repatriation of a child named Serhiy from the temporarily occupied city of Mariupol, noting that there were no established protocols or clear routes at that time. However, prompt actions led to the child’s rescue and restoration of rights.
The process has since expanded, with Qatar joining the efforts and the establishment of an International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. The issue of children’s repatriation has been systematically raised in the working group meetings of the Peace Formula.
Statistics from July 2022 to February 16, 2026, reveal:
- 419 children were returned by the Ombudsman’s Office,
- 83 with the assistance of the State of Qatar,
- 19 through the mediation of the First Lady of the United States.
Various civil organizations have also played an active role in this process.
“Over 1.6 million Ukrainian children remain in temporarily occupied territories, facing pressure, propaganda, and attempts to erase their identity. Each day in deportation or occupation is a day of lost childhood, a day without their native language, family, or safety,” Lubinets remarked.
He urged international partners to intensify pressure and sanctions against the deportation of children, calling on influential states to leverage their positions for the return of every child, while also encouraging human rights organizations and media to keep this issue in the spotlight.
“Every day we continue to work on the return of our citizens. Until we bring everyone back. Without exceptions. Without compromises,” the ombudsman emphasized.
Background on the Abduction of Ukrainian Children by Russia
Ukraine’s Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Daria Gerasimchuk, previously reported that as of late March 2023, the Ukrainian authorities had confirmed the abduction of over 19,500 children from temporarily occupied territories to Russia, although exact figures are difficult to ascertain due to ongoing occupation.
On April 5, 2023, 49 countries jointly condemned Russia for organizing a Security Council meeting regarding the alleged legal grounds for the abduction of Ukrainian children from temporarily occupied territories. The United Kingdom blocked the broadcast of Russian children’s rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova’s speech on UN platforms, calling for her to be held accountable in The Hague.
The Office of the Prosecutor General indicated that there is currently no transparent algorithm or mechanism in place to facilitate the return of deported Ukrainian children from Russia.
On March 17, 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for President Putin and Lvova-Belova, suspecting them of illegal deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children.
Ukraine has repatriated 2,000 children since the invasion began, with ongoing efforts to secure the return of those still held in Russia. The process involves various stakeholders, including international partners and civil organizations, amid a backdrop of significant challenges.