The U.S. State Department has announced $25 million in new assistance aimed at supporting the identification, return, and rehabilitation of Ukrainian children who were forcibly transferred during the ongoing conflict. The funding will be directed toward programs that track displaced children and assist the Ukrainian government and local partners in providing care and reintegration support for those who return home.
During her visit to the United States, Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska welcomed the initiative, emphasizing the urgency of bringing affected children back to their families. She expressed gratitude to the U.S. administration and Congress for prioritizing the issue, stating that every displaced child represents a life waiting to be restored. Zelenska has been actively advocating for international support to secure the release and safe return of Ukrainian children.
The “Bring Kids Back UA” initiative, launched under President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reported that over 2,000 children have already been returned, while more than 20,000 cases of deported or forcibly transferred children are still under review. A recent investigation by the United Nations concluded that such transfers may constitute crimes against humanity. Meanwhile, Russia has denied allegations of abduction, maintaining that the relocations were carried out to protect children from active conflict zones.
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