Ukraine insists that 4,396 orphans deported by Russia be returned

As many as 4,396 orphan children were illegally taken to the territory of Russia or temporarily occupied territories and Ukraine insists on their return.

Deputy Prime Minister - Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk said this during a briefing in Zaporizhzhia, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

 "As many as 4,396 children were taken by the occupiers to the territory of Russia and temporarily occupied territories. This issue is the absolute priority for the President. An international coalition is being created to form a stable platform that will include available tools (through sanctions, other means, using the platform of the UN, OSCE and other international platforms) to put pressure on Russia to return our children," said Vereshchuk.

According to her, Russia deliberately call these orphans evacuees.

The minister noted that Ukraine is ready to take away children from any EU country to which Russia will transfer them, as well as at the border with Russia. "Through the mediation of UNICEF or the International Committee of the Red Cross, other international organizations, we are ready to go and take away our children. We insist that all children be returned," she added.

As reported, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk and her team arrived in Zaporizhzhia region on a working trip on Sunday.