The British helped find over 600 Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russians

Britain helped find over 600 Ukrainian children who were kidnapped by Russians, the Sunday Times newspaper reported. Yale University estimated that approximately 35,000 Ukrainian children are missing and may be staying in Russia or occupied territories against their will.

The program was initiated in September

As part of a program initiated in September by Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian president's office, in which the British side also takes part, 295 Ukrainian children deported to the Russian Federation were found. We also managed to determine the fate of 71 children placed under Russian care and sent to Russia or relocated to occupied territories. Additionally, 242 children were identified on adoption websites.

“Vladimir Putin's shameful actions of illegally kidnapping, deporting and indoctrinating Ukrainian children show how far he will go to destroy Ukrainian families, eradicate Ukrainian identity and destroy the future,” said British Foreign Minister Yvette Copper, quoted by the Sunday Times.

The foreign minister said that “the UK is working with the government of Ukraine to create a tracking mechanism that will support the return of thousands of children abducted by Russia.”

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced last week that since the beginning of the war, Russia has abducted 19,546 children against their will. Over 1,600 have been found so far.

Re-education camps in Russia

Researchers from Yale University estimated that approximately 35,000 Ukrainian children are considered missing and may be in Russia or its occupied territories. Some of them were taken from orphanages, others from homes, schools or shelters. Scientists have shown that there are at least 130 re-education camps operating in Russia aimed at pro-Russian indoctrination. In at least 39 centers, children from the age of eight undergo military training, learning, among others, using weapons and basics of tactical medicine.

The UK has committed over £2.8 million to support Ukraine's efforts to find, return and reintegrate children kidnapped by Russia.

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague issued arrest warrants for Putin and the commissioner for children's rights in the Kremlin administration, Maria Lviv-Belova. Both were accused of committing war crimes by allowing the forced resettlement to Russia of civilians, especially children, from the territories of Ukraine occupied by the Russian army.

From London Marta Zabłocka (PAP)

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