Ukraine launches nationwide campaign to bring back children deported by Russia

The press service of Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) reported the information.

The initiators are:  

• the Ministry of Internal Affairs,  
• the National Police,  
• the Commissioner for Missing Persons,  
• the President’s initiative Bring Kids Back UA, 
• and the International Commission on Missing Persons.

According to the MIA press service, since the beginning of the full-scale war, nearly 20,000 children have been deported or forcibly displaced, and more than 1,200 of them have already returned. The initiative focuses on creating a unified DNA database of relatives of missing children.

“Every child has the right to return home and restore their identity. We urge relatives, neighbors, and concerned citizens to join this nationwide cause. Your voice, memories, or your DNA may become the key to saving a forcibly displaced child,” said Artur Dobroserdov, the Commissioner for Persons Missing under Special Circumstances.

The campaign includes:  

• information activities on social networks and in the media,  
• the work of regional Specialized Centers of the National Police,  
• and the collection of applications and DNA samples from relatives of missing children.

The collected data will help in the future to identify children and facilitate their return.

“The return of children illegally taken away by the occupiers is a long, painstaking, and extremely difficult process. We are conducting an information campaign to draw public attention and emphasize that everyone can contribute to restoring justice. If you know about the deportation or forced displacement of children—report it. If you have family ties to abducted children—submit your DNA. This may become their chance to return home and restore their ethnic connection with the Motherland in the future,” said Maryana Reva, Director of the Communications Department of Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The campaign is being implemented throughout Ukraine, with a special focus on residents of the east and south.

• According to the President’s Office about 1.6 million Ukrainian children are under Russian control—either deported or forced to live under occupation.