Ukraine is facing a distressing situation as Russian forces are accused of removing approximately 19,000 Ukrainian children from orphanages and from parents who were killed or detained. Ukrainian officials and organizations involved in recovery efforts have highlighted these concerning actions. In addition, hundreds more children have been taken from institutions located in areas occupied by Russian forces, as confirmed by both Ukrainian and Russian officials.

Russian authorities assert that the children will be returned if their parents come to retrieve them. However, this presents significant challenges, including the physical and financial obstacles of making such a journey and caring for their children upon their return.

Tragic stories have emerged amid these circumstances. The Wall Street Journal reported that a Ukrainian woman attempting to retrieve her godson and two other children from Russia was detained and deported on accusations of collaborating with Ukrainian security services. Additionally, a grandmother lost her life during the journey to retrieve her grandchildren, leaving them stranded, according to Save Ukraine, an organization involved in the recovery of numerous children from Russia.

A decree issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin allows unaccompanied Ukrainian children to be granted Russian citizenship and placed in foster care.

The plight of these children is heartbreaking as some have no surviving relatives to search for them, and others are too young to identify themselves. These innocent children are unfair collateral damage to a war that they never asked to be involved in. The international community has an urgent conflict on their hands that must be dealt with swiftly and safely.