9 Ukrainian Children
Authorities in Moscow announced the successful return of nine Ukrainian children, facilitated by Qatari mediators. This announcement came from Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s presidential commissioner for children’s rights, on Thursday.
Lvova-Belova shared details of the return via a post on Telegram, accompanied by photos featuring her and Qatari Ambassador Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani interacting with the children at the Qatari Embassy in Moscow.
The group of children consists of eight boys, aged between 12 and 17 years, along with a 17-year-old girl. The girl had been living with her grandmother in Crimea and expressed a desire to reunite with her mother in Kyiv, prompting efforts to facilitate her return.
Lvova-Belova noted that her office has been actively involved in the repatriation of children, reporting that they have successfully returned a total of 80 children from Ukraine and third-party countries, in addition to 13 children from families with connections to Russia.
She also extended her gratitude to the Qatari mediators for their vital support in this humanitarian effort.
Since July 2023, Qatar has played a significant role in the return of numerous Ukrainian children who had been taken to Russia and occupied territories.
The Ukrainian government has accused Moscow of unlawfully transferring approximately 19,000 Ukrainian children since the onset of the full-scale invasion, a claim that Russian authorities have denied.
Despite the ongoing conflict and complex situation, fewer than 400 children have been successfully returned to Ukraine thus far.
In an effort to expedite the return of Ukrainian children, the Ukrainian government submitted a list of 561 children to Qatari mediators in April, seeking their assistance in negotiating their repatriation from Russia.
The situation has garnered international attention, particularly after the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova last year.
They were accused of unlawfully deporting children from Ukraine, highlighting the gravity of the situation surrounding child welfare amid the ongoing conflict.
I am a dynamic professional, specializing in Peace and Conflict Studies, Conflict Management and Resolution, and International Relations. My expertise is particularly focused on South Asian Conflicts and the intricacies of the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific Politics. With my skills as a Content Writer, I serve as a bridge between academia and the public, translating complex global issues into accessible narratives. My passion for fostering understanding and cooperation on the national and international stage drives me to make meaningful contributions to peace and global discourse.
