Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, 19,500 Ukrainian children have been illegally deported to Russia. Only a limited number of civilians have been released since 2014, when Russia started its aggression against Ukraine. The Ombudsman’s office told the Kyiv Independent that Russia has “deliberately withheld the return of civilians” to serve its war goals and suppress resistance in occupied territories.
Russia refuses to negotiate the return of civilians, knowing that each freed civilian can testify to its violations of international law. Recently released Ukrainian prisoners of war are seen after being freed during the “1,000-for-1,000” prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia.
The release of civilians is very difficult because Ukraine has no Russian civilians to exchange them for. The Headquarters launched several mechanisms to bring back civilians, including the “I Want to Go to My People” project. Under this initiative, convicted Ukrainian collaborators can apply to be transferred to Russia in exchange for unlawfully imprisoned Ukrainian civilians or soldiers.
While this mechanism existed since summer 2024, Russia ignored it for a long time. It was only during the latest large-scale exchange that over 70 collaborators were transferred to Russia, allowing Ukraine to bring back its citizens. Ukraine hopes Russia will release all civilians it holds illegally and show more interest in taking back those who served its interests.
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