Ukraine returns 800 out of about 20 thousand children abducted by Russia

Ukraine has returned about 800 children abducted by Russia. The total number is almost 20 thousand children.

This was reported by Vice Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk in an interview with Channel 24.

"We do not know the exact number of children who were taken. We have managed to establish that it is about 20 thousand children, of whom 800 have already been returned," said Vereshchuk.

According to her, there are cases when children and their guardians return (from Russia) to third countries, and this is constantly observed.

According to the official, the Ukrainian authorities are looking for data on Ukrainian children through Europol, European and global institutions. If children are found abroad, outside Russia, they are taken off the wanted list, she added.

Vereshchuk noted that the sanctions imposed by the international community should be tough so that Russia realizes the reality of punishment for its actions.

"If it (Russia - ed.) continues this policy, the genocide of the Ukrainian people, it must receive sanctions, real prison terms. Then the process of returning our children will go much faster," she said.

Author - Dmitriy Levchenko, 25/06/2024