Photo: Telegram channel of the Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets.
Today, Ukraine has made an important step towards the return of its children who have been under the control of the Russian occupiers. Thanks to the efforts of government agencies, NGOs and international partners, 8 young Ukrainians from Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea have been returned home. This result was made possible by the implementation of the humanitarian plan of the President of Ukraine – Bring Kids Back UA. This was reported by Time Ukraine Israel, citing the official telegram channel of the Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets.
The humanitarian mission and Qatar’s role in the return of children
According to the Time Ukraine Israel portal, these children have not only experienced terrible conditions under Russian occupation, but have also been deprived of prospects for a normal future. Some of them even have serious illnesses, so they were welcomed in Ukraine with ambulances. In particular, among those returned is a boy who was in the Oleshky Orphanage at the time of the Russian invasion. He and other children were taken first to Skadovsk and later to Russia.
Nine children were returned thanks to a complex humanitarian operation in which the intermediary country of Qatar played an important role. Another child was returned through a special humanitarian corridor made possible by the joint efforts of Ukrainian and international partners.
New hope for a decent future
These children, who lost contact with their families and their normal environment during the occupation, will now be able to receive decent medical care, restore their relationships with their families and start a new life. In addition, government agencies and NGOs will assume responsibility for ensuring the social adaptation of children, their placement in schools, psychological assistance and support in humanitarian issues.
A call to action for parents
Given the numerous cases of forced deportation of Ukrainian children, Ukrainian parents who do not know the whereabouts of their children should contact the National Police of Ukraine at 102 or inform the Ombudsperson’s Office. If they suspect that a child has been deported to Russia or is in the temporarily occupied territory, parents can contact the Ombudsman’s hotline: 0 800 50 17 20 for calls in Ukraine or 044 299 74 08 for calls from abroad.
The return of these children is an important victory for Ukraine in its fight for the rights and security of its citizens. The joint efforts of Ukrainian and international partners, as well as the active role of government agencies, have helped secure a future for these young Ukrainians. Now they can reconnect with their families, receive the necessary medical care and find their place in a peaceful, stable environment where they can fulfil their potential.
