U.S. Senate to Hold Hearings on Russia’s Mass Abductions of Ukrainian Children
The U.S. Senate is preparing to hold hearings on Russia’s large-scale abductions and forced deportations of Ukrainian children from territories temporarily occupied by Moscow’s forces.
The Gaze reports this, referring to an announcement made by Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
The politician said the hearings would take place before the Senate Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs.
“This initiative strengthens international support for Ukraine and underscores that justice is inevitable,” Yermak stated. “It is the result of systematic international advocacy within President Zelenskyy’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative, which has made the return of our children a global priority.”
According to Yermak, preparations in Washington are already underway. He thanked U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Brian Schatz, along with American partners and the U.S. government, for their “leadership, consistency, and determination” in pursuing justice and supporting Ukraine’s efforts to bring home every child unlawfully taken by Russia.
Since the start of its full-scale invasion, Russia has orchestrated the mass deportation of Ukrainian children from orphanages, hospitals, and families in occupied regions.
Official Ukrainian data and international monitors have documented the deportation of more than 19,000 children, though the real number is believed to be far higher.
Many of these children have been sent deep into Russia, where they are placed in camps, adopted by Russian families, or granted Russian citizenship.
Senator Lindsey Graham warned that if Russia does not return all illegally deported Ukrainian children, he will introduce a bill to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) previously issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children’s Rights Commissioner Mariia Lvova-Belova, accusing them of overseeing the deportation scheme.
As The Gaze reported earlier, since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, at least 661 children have been killed and more than 1,400 have been injured to varying degrees.