Ukraine continues its fight to return Ukrainian children who have been illegally deported or forced to live under occupation by Russia. Human rights organizations estimate that currently up to 1.6 million Ukrainian children remain under the control of the aggressor country.
Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, reported this on his Telegram channel on Monday, March 17.
Systematic Destruction of Identity
Yermak emphasized that Russian occupiers pursue a deliberate policy aimed at destroying the Ukrainian identity of these children. Specifically, they are being forced to:
- accept Russian citizenship;
- change their personal information;
- participate in Russian military and propaganda programs.
International Condemnation of Crimes
The Head of the Presidential Office reminded that on March 17, 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and his Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, over the deportation of Ukrainian children.
“This was the first step towards justice, with the international community recognizing Russia’s systematic policy of kidnapping and assimilating Ukrainian children. The ICC warrants are only the beginning. Ukraine is employing all national and international mechanisms to hold those responsible accountable,” Yermak stated.
Recent Crimes and Ukraine’s Response
According to Yermak, Ukrainian prosecutors have already filed charges against individuals involved in the kidnapping of 10-month-old Margarita Prokopenko from Kherson, who was illegally granted “citizenship” by Russian authorities.
“We will not stop until all our children return home. No peace will be just if Ukrainian children remain in Russia’s hands. Two years ago, the world recognized that the deportation of Ukrainian children constitutes a war crime,” Yermak stressed.
Ukraine continues to make every effort to return abducted children and bring all perpetrators of these crimes to justice.
