US steps up efforts to track and return Ukrainian children

The United States has announced $25 million in new financial assistance to support the return of Ukrainian children deported to Russia or occupied territories. The funding will be used to identify the children, track their whereabouts and support their rehabilitation after returning.

The programme also helps Ukrainian authorities and partners provide care for the children once they are back home.

First Lady Olena Zelenskyy, who is currently visiting the US, described the issue as a key priority and praised Washington’s support, stressing that each case represents an individual human story.

According to the ‘Bring Kids Back UA’ initiative, more than two thousand children have already been returned, but authorities have recorded more than 20 thousand cases of deportation.

Meanwhile, a UN investigation suggests these practices may constitute crimes against humanity. Russia denies the accusations, saying the children were moved for security reasons.

(reuters, pir)