Russia involved in abduction of Ukrainian children – Ukrainian Foreign Ministry

Russia, in violation of international humanitarian law, is involved in the abduction of Ukrainian children at the state level, according to a statement issued by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.

The ministry noted that Russian invaders, in violation of international law, continue to resort to unacceptable actions – the illegal and forced displacement of Ukrainian citizens, among them children, including orphans, children deprived of parental care and children whose parents died as a result of Russia's military aggression, across the state border of Ukraine into Russia.

"The threat of illegal adoption of Ukrainian children by Russian citizens without following all the necessary procedures set by the legislation of Ukraine is glaring," the ministry said.

In this context, Ukrainian diplomats expressed particular concern over reports about the intention of the Russian education ministry to sign "agreements" with Russian occupation administrations in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions -- the so-called "LPR/DPR" -- that would help transfer illegally deported Ukrainian orphans to Russian families.

"The Kremlin's attempts to give its criminal actions on Ukrainian territory 'legal' grounds are a cynical disregard for the basic laws 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 the state-level abduction of children and the destruction of the future of the Ukrainian nation," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

It added that such actions by Russian occupiers can be qualified as kidnapping (abduction) and require a decisive reaction from the international community, especially the relevant international organizations.

"The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry is appealing to 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 Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict with the request to take urgent measures to ensure the return of Ukrainian children to the territory of our state," Ukrainian diplomats said.

Earlier reports said that the Russian education ministry is preparing a bill allowing the transfer of orphaned children abducted in Ukraine's Donbas region to Russian families.