Ukraine has returned 1,223 children out of almost 20,000 children who were deported or illegally displaced by Russia.
This was announced by the Minister of Social Policy Oksana Zholnovych during the international forum “Three Years, Many Fates: Protecting the Freedom and Future of Ukrainian Children” in Vilnius, Ukrinform reports.
“Ukraine has managed to return 1,223 children out of almost 20,000 children deported or illegally displaced by Russia. But the real number of abducted children may be much higher, as Russia conceals information and blocks humanitarian access,” emphasized Zholnovych.
She noted that in addition to the return of abducted children, it is very important to create a safe environment for them and give them the opportunity to grow up in a family. To this end, Ukraine has developed a reintegration mechanism: children return to their families or find a new family through adoption or foster care. Thus, in 2024, 1,268 children found new parents, which was a record adoption rate.
Support for large foster families is also increasing – last year 57 houses were purchased for them, and this year, together with the First Lady’s Address of Childhood initiative, this initiative continues. In addition, 187 new foster families were created last year, bringing the total number of foster families to 446.
As reported, the wife of the President of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, called on the participants of the international forum in Lithuania “Three Years, Many Fates: Protecting the Freedom and Future of Ukrainian Children” to help return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
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Source: Ukraine has recovered 1,223 deported children from Russia
