More than 2,000 deported children have been returned to Ukraine
With the support of 38 countries, the Council of Europe, and the European Union, Ukraine has managed to repatriate 2,058 deported children.
This was reported by the Secretariat of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in response to a request from Ukrinform.
"The initiative of the President of Ukraine, 'Bring Kids Back UA,' continues to unite a large number of countries around the world to return deported children. As of February-March 2026, 38 countries, as well as the Council of Europe and the European Union, are providing active support. Thanks to this strategic initiative, as of March 25, 2026, Ukraine has managed to return 2,058 children," the response states.
The Secretariat noted that Ukraine continues to receive support from the international community regarding the return of prisoners of war and illegally deported/forcibly displaced persons, particularly children, which involves the implementation of joint humanitarian missions, diplomatic pressure, and mediation by third-party partner countries in negotiations.
"The role of the United States (including official institutions—the government and Congress—as well as the First Lady of the United States, American human rights organizations, and civil society) in consistently supporting the humanitarian issue of returning Ukrainian children illegally deported by the Russian Federation deserves special mention. With the assistance and direct participation of the First Lady of the United States, the last three groups of children (19 children) were returned to Ukraine," the Office of the Ombudsman notes.
It is emphasized that the Ombudsman consistently conveys to international partners the position regarding the need to increase pressure on Russia to secure the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war and deported/illegally displaced children. Calls are also being made for countries to act as intermediaries in this matter and to join international platforms for the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war and deported children.
Recently, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy imposed new sanctions against foreign nationals and companies linked to the deportation and forced re-education of Ukrainian children. The restrictions are aligned with UK sanctions and also apply to suppliers of components for the Russian defense industry. Separately, Ukraine has imposed sanctions in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
