Bring Kids Back UA

Today, the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) Yale School of Public Health, which investigates war crimes in Ukraine, published a groundbreaking report, “Russia’s Systematic Program of the Coerced Adoption and Fostering of Ukraine’s Children.” For 20 months, specialists from the Yale HRL investigated and documented numerous crimes committed by Russia against Ukrainian children, including deportation, forced adoption, and erasure of national identity. This evidence has already been handed over to the International Criminal Court to assist in the investigation of Russia's war crimes in Ukraine and to hold those responsible accountable. We are grateful to the international community for their help in restoring justice and for supporting President Zelenskyy's Bring Kids Back UA initiative to bring all Ukrainian children back home 🇺🇦 #BringKidsBack

Russia's war crimes know no bounds. Two years ago, Russia kidnapped 48 children from the Kherson Children’s Home — some already adopted by Russian officials, others deported to occupied Crimea and put up for adoption like goods at an auction. Thanks to the Ukrainian initiative @BringKidsBack, seven children have already been rescued and returned home. But the stolen lives will not be forgotten — we will bring each child back to safety and justice. Ukraine remembers about children from Kherson Children’s Home. We demand their return home! #BringKidsBack

As a part of the President’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative, five more Ukrainian children have successfully returned to Ukraine from the temporarily occupied territories. This return was made possible through the efforts of the Ombudsman’s Office. Here are their stories: 🔹 Anna After the full-scale invasion, Anna left Ukraine with her family and ended up in Russia. Despite the hardships, she kept her connection to Ukraine by continuing her education remotely. Living in the aggressor country was challenging for Anna, especially with her strong pro-Ukrainian beliefs. She dreamed of returning home to be with her father, and she finally reunited with him. 🔹 Dmytro Dmytro was taken to Russia with his mother after the invasion. Although he didn’t want to leave Ukraine, he had no choice. Throughout the time he spent in Russia, he held onto his Ukrainian roots and dreamed of reuniting with his family. 🔹 Sashko Sashko remained in the occupied areas, facing life without the support of his family. Knowing he couldn’t stay in such dangerous conditions, he reached out for help. He is now safe in Ukraine. 🔹 Another significant story is of a family of four, including two children aged 11 and 14. The family’s pro-Ukrainian stance made them targets of persecution, creating a direct threat to their lives. They faced constant threats, interrogations, and searches by the occupying Russian authorities. Luckily, they are safe now in Ukrainian-controlled territory. These stories reflect the dangers faced by those living under occupation and the courage required to return home. Thanks to the coordination of Ukrainian institutions, volunteers, and international partners, these children are brought back to Ukraine. We are determined to bring every Ukrainian child home, and each day, we get closer to this goal. Together with our partners, we will not stop until every child is safe, free, and reunited with their family. #BringKidsBack

Today, a Ukrainian servicewoman was reunited with her son, who had spent the last three years under occupation. This incredible achievement was made possible through President Zelenskyy’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative and the dedicated efforts of our partners, the Ukrainian Child Rights Network. Before the full-scale invasion, Vitaliy lived with his mother and grandmother in Svatove, Luhansk region. However, following the invasion, the city was relentlessly shelled by Russian forces and fell under occupation in March 2022. From the outset of the war, Vitaliy’s mother joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine to defend her country, leaving Vitaliy in the care of his grandmother. Tragically, two weeks ago, his grandmother passed away, leaving the boy alone in an occupied city, at imminent risk of deportation to Russia and placement in an orphanage. In a desperate bid to save her son, Vitaliy’s mother contacted the hotline of the Ukrainian Network for Children’s Rights. With time running out, experts acted swiftly, crafting a safe route and initiating the evacuation. Yesterday, Vitaliy crossed the Ukrainian border under the care of a psychologist from the Ukrainian Network and was reunited with his mother. He is now home, safe, and free on Ukrainian soil. For security reasons, the child’s name has been changed. The Ukrainian Network for Children’s Rights, in partnership with SOS-Kinderdörfer weltweit and Hermann-Gmeiner-Fonds Deutschland e.V., is implementing the project “The Way Home: A New Route” to facilitate the return and support of deported children and youth. Every child’s return is a profound victory — a step closer to our ultimate goal: bringing every Ukrainian child back home. 💙💛 #BringKidsBack

Watch live today at 10 AM (New York) / 5 PM (Kyiv) the UN Security Council meeting on “Maintaining Peace and Security in Ukraine,” convened in response to the release of the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab’s report, “Russia’s Systematic Program of the Coerced Adoption and Fostering of Ukraine’s Children.” During the session, Daria Zarivna, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President and CEO of Bring Kids Back UA, will address the UN Security Council. Her speech will focus on Russia’s war crimes against Ukrainian children, including deportation and forcible transfer, as well as the findings of Yale’s report on Russia’s illegal adoption program for Ukrainian children. 🗓 December 4 🕔 10:00 AM (New York) / 5:00 PM (Kyiv) Livestream link: https://lnkd.in/g8aSZVmU

🇧🇷 From November 6-8, Brasília became a center for the Bring Kids Back UA mission. 🇺🇦 Delegates, including Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets, engaged with Brazilian officials, human rights defenders, and the public. These Action Days aimed to raise awareness about the urgent plight of deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children and seek global solidarity for their safe return. The events opened with key meetings with Brazilian leaders, fostering essential dialogue on Brazil’s potential support for Ukraine’s humanitarian mission. Day two brought public engagements where Ukrainian representatives shared firsthand accounts and findings on the systematic forced deportations, underscoring the grave human rights violations faced by Ukrainian children 👥 A powerful exhibition showcased haunting images of Ukrainian towns, playgrounds, and schools affected by the conflict, moving attendees to join the call for action. Swipe to learn more ➡️ #BringKidsBack

On World Children’s Day, Academy Award-winning actress and UNITED24 ambassador Hilary Swank urges the world to speak out against russia’s heinous crimes against Ukrainian children. Every day, russia illegally deports and forcibly relocates Ukrainian children, destroying their homes, tearing apart families, and stealing their childhoods. She calls on the global community to unite in support of President Zelensky’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative — a mission to rescue and return every stolen child. Share this video and spread the word. Together, we can bring these children home and secure their future.

President Volodymyr Zelensky's initiative, Bring Kids Back UA, works tirelessly every day to reunite all Ukrainian children with their families at home 🇺🇦 Share the story of the tragic deportation of our children by Russia, spread our posts, and support our efforts. Every child deserves to be free and happy 💙💛 #BringKidsBack

Ukraine’s commitment to bringing every deported child home goes beyond mere return — it’s about providing a path to healing and stability. At the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine's Peace Formula in Montreal, Iryna Vereshchuk, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of 🇺🇦, highlighted the Bring Kids Back initiative, underscoring the urgent need for a comprehensive support system for these children: "Thousands of Ukrainian children were illegally deported, suffering unimaginable hardships. We are committed to not only bringing them back but ensuring each one receives the care they need to heal, grow, and thrive in a safe environment. We will never cease our efforts until every Ukrainian child is home and supported." We prioritize reintegration through a structured approach, from immediate emergency aid to long-term stability, ensuring that every child, especially orphans, finds a nurturing, family-based environment. International collaboration is vital in making this mission a reality. Though this foundational system is in place, continued global collaboration is essential to develop the most resilient and supportive reintegration structure possible💙  #BringKidsBack

💻 LIVE STREAM: Tomorrow and the day after, October 30-31, the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of the Peace Formula will be held in Montreal, Canada. Watch the live stream of the first day on our profiles in: Facebook - https://bit.ly/3YF6M2G X - https://lnkd.in/eKUKQYHf Schedule for 30.10: Welcome and Opening Plenary 🇨🇦 4 PM - 6 PM EDT 🇺🇦 10 PM - 12 AM EET Testimonies of returned or affected persons, including prisoners of war, detained civilians and deported children 🇨🇦 6:15 PM - 7 PM EDT 🇺🇦 12:15 AM - 1 AM EET #BringKidsBack