International Demand for the Return of Ukrainian Children
During a session of the UN General Assembly, a resolution was adopted demanding that Russia urgently return all Ukrainian children who became victims of forced displacement during the war. The resolution was supported by 91 countries.
The session took place on December 3.
The document also calls for Russia to immediately cease any further practices of forced displacement, deportation, and separation of children from their families.
Countries voting against the resolution included Belarus, Iran, Nicaragua, Cuba, Eritrea, and Mali. 57 countries abstained, including China and India.
Mariana Betza, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, emphasized that the resolution underscores the moral obligation of the international community to bring every child home.
“Our children have been killed. Our children have been tortured and kidnapped. This is a blatant violation of international law,” she stated.
She noted that Russia has deported at least 20,000 Ukrainian children, of which over 1,850 have been returned. Betza pointed out that Russian authorities are trying to erase the identity of Ukrainian children through hostile propaganda.
UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock highlighted that the deportation of children constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law.
Reports confirm the abduction of children, including statements from Ukraine's Commissioner for Children's Rights, Daria Gerasimchuk, who indicated that over 19,500 children have been taken from occupied territories to Russia.
On April 5, 2023, 49 countries condemned Russia for organizing a Security Council meeting regarding the alleged legal grounds for the abduction of Ukrainian children. The UK blocked the broadcast of the Russian children's rights advocate's speech.
The Office of the Prosecutor General indicated that there is currently no single mechanism for returning Ukrainian children deported to Russia.
On March 17, 2023, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Putin and Lvova-Belova for the illegal deportation of children.
On September 23, 2025, President Zelensky announced that Ukraine succeeded in returning 1,625 Ukrainian children.
