Russia’s Forced Deportation of Ukrainian Children Sparks International Outrage
A somber shadow has fallen over the international community as reports unfold detailing Russia’s systematic torture and forceful deportation of Ukrainian children. During a recent summit, a representative from the Russian Federation was captured laughing openly, a sickening display of indifference triggered by a damning report detailing these heinous crimes against innocent children.
Daria Zarivnaya, advisor to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and Operations Director of the Bring Kids Back UA initiative, delivered a heart-wrenching testimony, exposing the true extent of Russia’s barbarity. Zarivnaya revealed that at least 16 children are killed or injured every week in the ongoing conflict. Millions have been forced from their homes, becoming refugees, while hundreds of thousands more remain trapped in occupied territories.
Zarivnaya painted a chilling picture, highlighting the documented abduction of Ukrainian orphans from institutions like the Kherson orphanage, where children as young as toddlers hid in church basements to escape the advancing Russian forces.
“Kherson orphanage. Just one of many cases. Its little pupils had to hide in the basement of the church when your army entered the city,” Zarivnaya powerfully stated in her address. “But the FSB found them. They were deported. You know exactly where our children are now. Stop torturing them. Return the children to Ukraine.”
She displayed the birth certificate of Margarita Prokopenko, a young girl kidnapped from the Kherson orphanage and forcibly renamed and given a new birthplace to place her with the family of Sergei Mironov, a deputy in the Russian State Duma.
This horrific tale is but a single thread in a disturbing tapestry of Russia’s campaign to erase Ukraine’s cultural identity, violating the fundamental rights of children with impunity.
Adding weight to these accusations, the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights, specifically for their roles in the systematic forced deportation of Ukrainian children.
Numerous studies conducted by the Yale School of Public Health’s Humanities Research Laboratory further expose the extent of these crimes. These findings reveal a horrifying pattern of Russia manipulating documents, placing children in Russian adoptive families, and subjecting them to re-education in centers within Russian Federation territory and occupied Crimea.
The international community must stand firm in condemning these actions and demanding the immediate release of all abducted children. The laughter of a Russian delegate in the face of these atrocities cannot be easily forgotten, serving as a stark reminder of the urgency to end this practice and bring those responsible to justice.
How many Ukrainian children are estimated to be killed or injured each week due to the conflict?
## Russia’s Forced Deportation of Ukrainian Children Sparks International Outrage
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re discussing the deeply concerning reports of the forced deportation and abuse of Ukrainian children by Russian forces. Joining us today is Daria Zarivnaya, advisor to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and Operations Director of the Bring Kids Back UA initiative. Daria, thank you for being with us.
**Daria Zarivnaya:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** The world was recently shocked by images of a Russian diplomat seemingly laughing in response to a report about these atrocities. Can you tell us more about what is happening to Ukrainian children?
**Daria Zarivnaya:** The situation is incredibly dire. Every week, at least 16 children are killed or injured in this senseless conflict. Millions have fled their homes, becoming refugees, and hundreds of thousands more are trapped in occupied territories. We have irrefutable evidence of the systematic abduction of Ukrainian children, including orphans. Take, for example, the Kherson orphanage, where children as young as toddlers were forced to hide in church basements to escape Russian forces. [[1](https://www.state.gov/pursuing-visa-restrictions-to-promote-accountability-for-the-forced-transfer-and-deportation-of-ukraines-children/)]
**Host:** That’s absolutely horrifying. What is being done to bring these children home and hold those responsible accountable?
**Daria Zarivnaya:** We are working tirelessly through the Bring Kids Back UA initiative to locate and repatriate these stolen children. We are also advocating for international pressure on Russia to stop these horrific acts. The United States has recently announced visa restrictions on several Russian officials involved in these crimes.
**Host:** What can our viewers do to help?
**Daria Zarivnaya:** We urge everyone to spread awareness about this issue. Share the stories of these children. Contact your elected officials and demand action. Support organizations like Bring Kids Back UA that are working on the ground to help these innocent victims. Every voice counts in this fight for justice.
**Host:** Daria Zarivnaya, thank you for your time and for your courageous work.
