Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reported the successful return of 2,000 children from areas of Ukraine occupied by Russian forces. Since the beginning of Russia's invasion in February 2022, the country has been accused of forcibly relocating around 20,000 Ukrainian children from occupied territories. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his commissioner for children's rights for the unlawful deportation of these minors, which constitutes a war crime.

The Ukrainian government alleges that Russia is not only deporting these children but also indoctrinating them, compelling many to adopt Russian citizenship, and attempting to erase their Ukrainian identity. These serious claims have been corroborated by testimonies from Ukrainians who managed to escape from Russian-occupied areas. Zelensky highlights that while this is a significant achievement, the path ahead remains arduous, with thousands of children still held captive by Russia and becoming victims of its ongoing crimes daily.

This situation underscores the broader humanitarian crisis and the severe implications of the conflict on Ukraine's youth. The plight of Ukrainian children, particularly those separated from their families and forcibly relocated, raises urgent international concern and calls for action to prevent further violations of human rights as the war continues to escalate.