Why the return of children from Russia is so slow — Zelenskyy
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According to official statistics, about 20,000 Ukrainian children have been deported to Russia. This is only the number for which the data could be identified and verified. However, the number of abducted and taken children is much higher, and the process of returning Ukrainian children is much more complicated than the exchange of military prisoners.
This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with CBN.
Why Ukraine is so slow to return children deported by the occupiers from Russia
Volodymyr Zelenskyy explained that the process of returning children from Russia is the most difficult.
"You exchange military for military, and this is an understandable process. Unfortunately, sometimes they (the Russians — Ed.) block it, but it happens. Sometimes it is possible to return civilians. And we have a clear tool for returning civilians. What about children? It is very difficult with children. Because we cannot exchange children for children. Our deported Ukrainian children are there. We have no Russian children," the head of state said.
The President added that even though the Armed Forces of Ukraine are in Kursk region, Ukraine does not kill Russian civilians and does not abduct children.
"We have not kidnapped anyone, we have not deported anyone. This has never happened, and even our work in the Kursk region is proof of this. We can't say that there are no Ukrainians on Russian territory, so we didn't touch anyone. For example, we conducted an operation in the Kursk region. Not a single person was kidnapped. We have not killed a single civilian. Not a single child was injured there," Zelensky said.
There may be many more abducted children
Volodymyr Zelenskyy added that the data on 19.5 thousand deported children is based only on official data that has been confirmed. However, the figure may be much higher, and Ukraine can still return abducted children only with the assistance of partners.
"I think in 2023, their Russian ombudsman reported that they were holding 700,000 Ukrainian children. Yes, this is their official data, and I don't know how true it is, but it's a horror. They are proud to have stolen children. Children can be returned thanks to partners, thanks to pressure. We believe that we will be able to end the war with Europe and together with President Trump and return the children," Volodymyr Zelenskyy summarized.
As a reminder, in early December, only six children were returned home from Russia.
It is interesting that the occupiers conduct "patriotic" lessons for children who remained in the occupied territories and promote their participation in the military operations. And a report by the Yale University School of Public Health cited evidence that Vladimir Putin's planes were involved in the abduction of Ukrainian children to Russia.
