US Did Not Delete Data on Russian Abduction of Ukrainian Children
The US State Department has confirmed that data collected from investigations into Russian abduction of Ukrainian children during the full-scale war was not deleted.
Tammy Bruce, a spokesperson for the US State Department, said that the data remains intact and was never in the control of the department. The investigation was led by Yale University and tracked Russian war crimes, including the forced deportation of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia.
Concerns had been raised that the data may have been deleted after funding was cut to the initiative. Bruce clarified that the data is still available and was not deleted.
The comments come amid efforts by the Trump administration to cut foreign aid and funding for various initiatives, including those aimed at holding Russia accountable for war crimes committed in Ukraine.
US President Donald Trump spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on March 19, following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump asked about missing children from Ukraine and promised to work closely with both parties to help ensure their return home.
The US is now focused on achieving a lasting ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.