**Ukraine Brings Back 7 Children from Russia Occupied Territories**
Seven Ukrainian children have been returned to their families under the President of Ukraine’s initiative, Bring Kids Back UA. This was announced by Daria Zarivna, Director of the initiative and advisor to the Head of the Office of the President.
The children had been living in Russian-occupied territories or Russia since February 2022. At least 20,000 Ukrainian children have been abducted from these areas and taken to other Russian-controlled territories or to Russia, according to the Ukrainian national database “Children of War.”
One of the returned children had lived under occupation for a long time with his parents. He faced forced passportization, psychological pressure at school, and constant fear for his future. His parents decided to bring him back to Ukrainian-controlled territory so he could get an education in a free country.
**Ukraine Considers Child Abductions a War Crime**
Ukraine considers the abduction of these children a war crime and argues that it meets the U.N.’s legal definition of genocide. Russia, however, claims that the children are being relocated for their protection from conflict zones.
The Ukrainian government has managed to return 1,233 children so far, according to the Ministry of Reintegration. But many more children remain in Russian custody, with estimates ranging from 150,000 to 300,000.
**International Response**
In March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children’s Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova due to their involvement in the unlawful transfer of Ukrainian children. Russia dismissed this decision as “outrageous and unacceptable.”
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