Abducted Ukrainian children put in the care of Russian families — Ukraine’s Ombudsman

The Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Liudmyla Denisova announced on Telegram that 27 Ukrainian orphans have been illegally transported to Aprelivka in Moscow region. They were handed over to ten local families under temporary custody.

Ukraine has no information whether such children have the status of orphans or of those lacking parental care and whether they have relatives that could care for them. Ukraine does not know the conditions these children are kept in, their health situation, and whether children’s rights and wishes were considered when relocating them.

“Abduction of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation is a crime, which, according to international law, falls under the definition of human trafficking”, Denisova stated.