Russia has abducted some 20,000 Ukrainian children since it invaded Ukraine. Only a fraction have returned home. Families face a difficult search, with some taking drastic steps in hopes of rescuing their children.

Kyiv

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Ukraine has documented nearly 20,000 cases of children being abducted or forcibly transferred to Russia or Russian-occupied regions, with only about 1,350 returned so far. Many children remain in areas where they are reportedly not allowed to speak Ukrainian and are exposed to pro-Russian propaganda, while some have disappeared after being sent to camps or placed in foster care.

Efforts to recover these children are complicated by the risks involved, secrecy around rescue operations, and increased scrutiny from Russian authorities. The International Court of Justice has indicted Russian officials for unlawful deportation of children, but with no peace talks in sight, thousands of Ukrainian children remain missing.

The difficult search for Ukraine's missing children

Ukrainian children reunited with their parents in the spring of 2023. They're some of the lucky ones who made it back from Russia or occupied areas of Ukraine. That same year, Ukraine opened its Child Rights Protection Center. We want to bring everyone home. I want the children to return while they are still children. Ukraine says it has documented almost 20,000 cases of children who were abducted or forcibly transferred, about 1,350 of whom have been returned. Other estimates say many more children have disappeared. About 1.6 million Ukrainian kids live in Russian-occupied territory. Relatives told DW they're not allowed to speak Ukrainian and are indoctrinated with pro-Russian propaganda. Some of the children were taken by Russian forces in the early chaotic days of the war in areas that have since been taken back by Ukraine. Since then, some children in occupied territory have been sent to summer camp in Crimea or Russia and have not returned. In other cases, single parents report being pressured to give up their children for foster care to Russians or locals with pro-Russian sympathies. Getting them back is risky and difficult. One mother told DW of having to travel thousands of kilometers to bypass combat zones in order to find her daughter in occupied Ukraine. This man's nephew disappeared from southern Ukraine in 2022 along with his schoolmates. Details of how they made it back are still secret. We didn't know where they were or what had happened to them. I only heard some rumors that someone had seen them somewhere. But there was no accurate information. Activists say Moscow is making it harder to get abducted children back. Those who we evacuated say their families are being investigated. Relatives who remained are questioned by the Russian authorities, trying to find out information, how, where, across which border, who helped them leave. They're trying to find it all out, trying to forbid us from returning our children. The International Court of Justice has indicted Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia's Commissioner for Children's Rights for unlawful deportation of children, a war crime. US President Donald Trump has discussed the issue with European leaders and referred to the worldwide problem of missing children. First Lady Melania Trump wrote a message to Putin expressing concern for children's innocence. But for the time being, with no direct peace talk scheduled, thousands of Ukrainian children will stay missing.

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Washington

Trump looks to expand military use in U.S. after arming troops in D.C.

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI sued Apple and ChatGPT maker OpenAI in U.S. federal court in Texas, accusing them of illegally conspiring to thwart competition for artificial intelligence.

Texas

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Middle East Conflict

Israeli PM calls deadly strikes on Gaza hospital a ‘tragic mishap’

Kilmar Abrego Garcia is back in ICE custody and is facing deportation to Uganda, the Department of Homeland Security says, after he was released from criminal custody last week.

Baltimore

Abrego Garcia in ICE custody, court blocks immediate deportation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he will meet with the U.S. and other countries this week to discuss a potential meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at reaching a ceasefire.

Zelenskiy say he will meet with U.S., others on potential Putin talks

U.S. President Donald Trump says Chicago could be the next city to see National Guard deployment, sparking strong opposition from Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker, who argue crime is already falling and federal intervention is unnecessary.

Chicago

Trump threatens to send National Guard troops to Chicago

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Jerusalem

Four journalists reported dead after Gaza hospital blasts

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National Guard patrolling Washington DC begin carrying weapons

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The Pickett Fire is growing in California's Napa County, prompting new evacuations as it threatens homes and wineries. The flames, fueled by scorching temperatures and dry conditions, are being battled by hundreds of first responders.

Napa Valley

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Sofia

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Maryland

Kilmar Abrego Garcia told he may be sent to Uganda

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Los Angeles

Erik and Lyle Menendez denied parole

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Las Vegas

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Austin

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Tel Aviv-Yafo

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Both Menendez brothers denied parole

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Pembroke

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Bethesda

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Nashville

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The difficult search for Ukraine's missing children

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Ukraine Invasion