Ukraine has returned seven more children from temporarily occupied territories as part of the “Bring Kids Back UA” initiative, Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reported on Saturday, April 4.
The group, consisting of children aged 13 to 17, includes several orphans who had been held in Russian-controlled social centers or subjected to psychological pressure by occupation authorities. Lubinets expressed gratitude to US First Lady Melania Trump for her “humanitarian support” in facilitating the return.
Among those returned is a 13-year-old boy from the Kherson region who had been placed in a rehabilitation center after losing both parents. Two brothers, aged 13 and 16, were also repatriated after resisting attempts by occupation officials to prevent them from reuniting with their sister in government-controlled territory. Another 14-year-old boy was reunited with his mother after a four-year separation.
The White House confirmed on Thursday that this latest group is part of the fourth reunification effort facilitated by Melania Trump. The US First Lady, who has maintained an open line of communication with the Kremlin regarding humanitarian issues, stated that “raising the safety and well-being of children above this abhorrent war” remains a priority.
Ukrainian officials estimate that nearly 20,000 children have been illegally deported or forcibly transferred to Russia or occupied areas since the 2022 invasion. Since then, Ukraine has successfully brought home 2,070 children.
To support these efforts, the US State Department announced $25 million in new assistance on March 27 to aid in the identification, return, and rehabilitation of abducted children. First Lady Olena Zelenska has previously commended the US administration’s involvement, noting that “every Ukrainian child must come home.”
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in 2023 for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, accusing them of the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children. A UN-mandated inquiry has classified these transfers as crimes against humanity.