Thirty-one children have returned to Ukraine after being brought into Russia illegally, according to Save Ukraine, a Kiev-based humanitarian organization.
The children – pulling suitcases and bags with belongings, some holding stuffed animals – accompanied by family members, were hugged by volunteers after crossing the border into Ukraine on foot. They then boarded a bus to continue their journey.
“Children kidnapped by Russians from Kherson and Kharkiv regions have finally crossed the border with their families and are now safe,” said Mykola Kuleba, founder of Save Ukraine, in a post on Telegram.
“Both children and their parents have a psychological and physical recovery ahead of them. And we will continue to look after them until the families return to their homes,” said Kuleba.
Olha Yerokhina, an employee of Save Ukraine, told CNN that this was the fifth rescue mission organized by the organization.
A group of 13 mothers left Ukraine just over a week ago, many with powers of attorney that allowed them to pick up the children of parents other than their own, she said.
The group crossed into Poland before traveling through Belarus, Russia and finally entering Russian-occupied Crimea, where they were reunited with 24 of the children. The other seven children were picked up in Voronezh, Rostov and Belgorod, all within Russia, she said.
Yerokhina said facilitating rescue missions was difficult because Save Ukraine has no official contact with anyone in Russia. Instead, the organization received crucial help from volunteers in different locations.
Allegations of widespread forced deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia form the basis of war crimes charges brought against Russian President Vladimir Putin and a senior official, Maria Lvova-Belova, by the International Criminal Court last month.
Ukraine said there were more than 16,000 cases under investigation. Russia has denied it is doing anything illegal, saying it is bringing Ukrainian children to safety.
Source: CNN Brasil
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