Russia abducts over 20,000 Ukrainian children, 1.5 million at risk of deportation - Ombudsman

Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, revealed this during the third plenary of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.

He explained that Russian forces alter the personal information of abducted and deported children, making it impossible for relatives and Ukraine to track and bring them back.

“Our children are even sent to so-called re-education camps, where they’re bombarded with Russian propaganda. Imagine this: Ukrainian children being forced to deny their roots,” Lubinets stressed in his speech.

Lubinets also shared the tragic story of residential institutions like the Oleshky Children’s Boarding Home, where children were first relocated to occupied areas and then deported to Russia. In the case of the Kherson regional children's home, children were outright taken to Russia and illegally adopted.

The Human Rights Commissioner pointed out that Ukrainian orphans deported to Russia face poor living conditions and inadequate medical care.

“Ukraine is actively searching for these children, identifying their relatives, and pushing for family-based care. We’re also improving legal frameworks and strengthening cooperation between state institutions to ensure the protection and return of our children,” he explained.

Lubinets highlighted the adoption of two key resolutions aimed at streamlining internal processes to ensure the return of deported children and safeguarding their rights upon their return.

He also noted that the Russian Federation is deliberately stalling the return of these children.

During the event, the Coalition summarized six months of work, discussed future plans, and issued a Joint Statement. The statement outlined key principles for the children’s return, including transparency about their whereabouts, access for international missions, support for Ukraine’s humanitarian efforts, long-term reintegration assistance, and ensuring children’s access to justice.

• On September 30, three Ukrainian children and their mother were successfully returned from occupied territory after Russian forces had threatened to take the children away.