Ukraine returns 11 more children taken to Russia and occupied territories — President’s Office

One family managed to bring back five siblings who had been taken to Russia. For a long time, there was no information about them, but later they contacted their adult sister in Ukraine and asked to be taken home.

The return, however, was extremely difficult, as Russian guardianship authorities exerted pressure, delayed the process, and tried to force them to change their minds.

The return became possible only after more than a year of effort.

“This story is another reminder: Ukraine does not stop until its children are home,” Yermak wrote.

He also thanked Qatar for its mediation and the team at the Office of the Ombudsman of Ukraine for their work.

As of June 16, Ukraine had confirmed the illegal removal of more than 19,000 children.

On June 27, The Guardian reported that researchers from Yale University estimated approximately 35,000 Ukrainian children reported missing could be held in Russia or in temporarily occupied territories.

According to Bring Kids Back, 1,366 children have been returned so far. However, researchers estimate that the number of children illegally held could be in the tens of thousands.