1.6 million Ukrainian children live under Russian control — Ukraine's presidential office

This was reported by the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, citing data from human rights organizations.

He reminded that two years ago, on March 17, 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Russia’s Commissioner for Children's Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, for the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children.

"This was the first step towards justice, where the world acknowledged that Russia is conducting a planned policy of kidnapping and assimilating Ukrainian children," Yermak wrote.

At the same time, he noted that Russian crimes against children are ongoing.

"According to estimates by Ukrainian human rights defenders, up to 1.6 million Ukrainian children are under Russian control—either deported or forced to live under occupation. Their Ukrainian identity is systematically destroyed, they are forced to accept Russian citizenship, their personal data is changed, and they are involved in military organizations and propaganda programs," the head of the presidential office explained.

He emphasized that Ukraine is utilizing all national and international mechanisms to punish those responsible for these crimes. Recently, Ukrainian prosecutors filed another indictment against those responsible for the abduction of 10-month-old Margarita Prokopenko from Kherson, who was adopted by Russians.

"We will not stop until all the children return home. No peace will be just if Ukrainian children remain in Russia’s hands," Yermak concluded.

• In May of last year, the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers approved a procedure for identifying and returning children deported to Russia.