The Courage Projects Demands Action for More Than 20,000 Ukrainian Children Taken by Russia
NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A day before the two-year anniversary of Russia's war on Ukraine, three Ukrainian children gave testimony at the United Nations, detailing their experiences being abducted by Russian forces. In recounting their personal stories, 13-year-old Sasha, 11-year-old Ilya, and 14-year-old Kira sought to advocate for the release of more than 20,000 kidnapped Ukrainian children remaining in Russian captivity. The closed-door session marked the first time that U.N. members have heard directly from survivors of Russia's mass child abduction, a violation of the Genocide Convention.
- In recounting their personal stories, 13-year-old Sasha, 11-year-old Ilya, and 14-year-old Kira sought to advocate for the release of more than 20,000 kidnapped Ukrainian children remaining in Russian captivity.
- The Ukrainian government has identified more than 20,000 cases of children who have been unlawfully abducted, while Russia continues to illegally transfer Ukrainian children to Russian territory.
- Sasha, Ilya, and Kira are among only a few hundred Ukrainian children who have been rescued from Russian captivity.
- Russia has passed legislation making it easier for Russian families to adopt Ukrainian children and to grant them Russian citizenship.