Throughout the ongoing full-scale aggression of the russian federation against Ukraine, the russian occupiers continue, in violation of international law, to resort to unacceptable actions – illegal and forced movement of Ukrainian citizens, including children, among them orphans, children deprived of parental care, as well as children whose parents died as a result of russia’s military aggression, across the state borders of our state to russia, – said in a statement.

There is a glaring threat of illegal adoption of Ukrainian children by russian citizens without following all the necessary procedures set out in Ukrainian legislation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine notes that in this context, the information about the intention of the Russian Ministry of Education to sign with the Russian occupation administrations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions – the so-called “L/DNR” are “agreements” that would allow the transfer of orphans illegally deported from Ukraine to russian families.

According to the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child, states that are parties to this international agreement, including russia and Ukraine are obliged to take measures to take measures on the illegal movement and non-return of children from abroad.

The Kremlin’s attempts to give its criminal actions in Ukraine “legal” grounds are a cynical disregard for the basic rules and customs of war and universally recognized human rights.

In fact, in violation of international humanitarian law and basic standards of humanity, russia is engaged in kidnapping of children on the state level and the destruction of the future of the Ukrainian nation.

Such actions of the russian occupiers can be qualified as kidnapping and demand a decisive reaction of the international community, especially of the relevant international organizations.

Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine addresses the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Committee of the Red Cross, UNICEF, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representatives on Children in Armed Conflict and Violence against Children and insists on taking urgent measures to return Ukrainian children to the territory of our state.