Ukraine intends to retrieve nine minor children from Russia.
During the ongoing conflict, several thousand Ukrainian children have been deported by Russia, as stated by various sources. Recently, nine young individuals aged 13 to 17 managed to return to their home country, thanks to efforts facilitated by Qatar. The return was part of a strategic plan and was announced by Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinez via Telegram and X. Picture messages of the children, their faces obscured for privacy, were shared with luggage or suitcases in hand.
These young individuals were split from their families or guardians as a result of the occupation, hailing from regions like Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, or Luhansk. Initially, some of them resided in an orphanage following the outbreak of the war and were later deported to Skadovsk and further into Russia.
As per previous reports, close to 20,000 Ukrainian children had been taken to Russia or Russian-controlled areas in Ukraine by the beginning of the year. Since then, some have been successfully repatriated.
Heavy Allegations Against Russia
Russia is under heavy criticism for intentionally dismantling the identities of Ukrainian children and inflicting significant emotional and psychological distress through forced deportation. The International Criminal Court in The Hague has issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his children's rights commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova, citing deportation as the main charge. Moscow denies these claims.
Since July 2023, Qatar has assisted in bringing back over fifty children who were relocated to Russia and occupied territories due to the conflict. Some of their parents lost their lives, others were separated from their caregivers due to rapidly shifting battle lines, and many were housed in Ukrainian orphanages in areas that later fell under Russian control.
The children who returned to Ukraine thanks to Qatar's efforts were likely separated from their families or guardians due to the ongoing conflict and occupation. The heavy allegations against Russia include the intentional dismantlement of Ukrainian children's identities and significant emotional and psychological distress caused by forced deportations.
