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Ukrainian President and Canadian Prime Minister to Co-Host Event at UN General Assembly to Address Abductions of Ukrainian Children by Russia

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will co-host an event during the United Nations General Assembly in New York this month to bring attention to the plight of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. The event, part of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, will highlight the issue of Russian-run child kidnappings, which have been described as "the single largest kidnapping since World War Two" by Nathaniel Raymond, executive director of the Humanitarian Research Lab at the Yale School of Public Health. According to Ukrainian and international organizations, Russia has taken and forcibly deported at least 19,000 Ukrainian children to Russia or Russian-occupied territories since the start of the invasion in 2022.

Key Takeaways:

  • At least 19,000 Ukrainian children have been abducted and forcibly deported to Russia or Russian-occupied territories since the start of the invasion in 2022, according to Ukrainian and international organizations.
  • Nathaniel Raymond, executive director of the Humanitarian Research Lab at the Yale School of Public Health, estimates that up to 35,000 children may have been abducted.
  • Only 1,605 children have been repatriated from Russia or Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory.
  • The International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, co-chaired by Canada and Ukraine, has gathered over 40 countries since its founding in 2024.
  • Russia has been accused of enrolling abducted children in military combat training and participating in "re-education programs" that aim to erase Ukrainian identity and impose Russian citizenship.
  • The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants against President Vladimir Putin and Russia's Commissioner for Children's Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, for alleged war crimes.

Statistics:

  • At least 19,000 Ukrainian children have been abducted and forcibly deported.
  • Up to 35,000 children may have been abducted, according to Nathaniel Raymond.
  • Only 1,605 children have been repatriated from Russia or Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory.
  • Over 40 countries have joined the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children since its founding in 2024.

Sources:

  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's Telegram channel
  • The Ukrainian government's "Bring Kids Back" website
  • Nathaniel Raymond, executive director of the Humanitarian Research Lab at the Yale School of Public Health
  • The International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children
  • The International Criminal Court
  • Canada's Department of Global Affairs
  • A statement by the US President's press secretary regarding the proposed peace deal with Russia

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