**Ukraine Successfully Returns 5 Children Forcibly Taken to Russia and Occupied Territories**
In a significant development, Ukraine has successfully brought back five children who were forcibly taken to Russia and Russian-occupied territories. This achievement was announced by Andriy Yermak, the head of the Presidential Office, on June 12.
According to Yermak, the children were returned home under the initiative “Bring Kids Back UA,” which is a mission led by the President of Ukraine. The initiative aims to bring back every Ukrainian child who has been taken from their families and sent to Russia or occupied territories.
This latest development brings the total number of children returned to Ukraine to 1,359, out of at least 20,000 who have been abducted since February 2022. The abductions were carried out by Russian forces, with many of the children being transported via military aircraft and subjected to pro-Russian re-education before being adopted into Russian families.
The issue of Ukrainian children being forcibly taken from their homes has been a major concern for Ukraine and its international partners. Russia’s actions have been widely condemned, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children’s Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova over their involvement in the unlawful transfer of Ukrainian children.
The return of these five children is a significant step forward in the efforts to reunite families torn apart by the conflict. It also highlights the importance of addressing the issue of child abductions as part of any future peace negotiations with Russia.
**A Key Condition for Peace**
Ukrainian officials have made it clear that the return of Ukrainian children is a key condition for any future peace agreement with Russia. President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that during recent talks in Istanbul, Russian representatives dismissed the issue as a “show for childless European old ladies” and acknowledged deporting several hundred children.
The international community has been urged to take action to address this humanitarian crisis. The Yale University-based Humanitarian Research Lab has been working to document the abductions and prepare a report on the systematic program of deporting and forcibly assimilating Ukrainian children.
**A Significant Victory**
The return of these five children is a significant victory for Ukraine and a testament to the country’s determination to reunite families torn apart by conflict. It also highlights the importance of addressing this humanitarian crisis as part of any future peace negotiations with Russia.
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