Key facts
- 23 children were brought home from Russian-occupied territory.
- The children are receiving psychological support and assistance.
- A 9-year-old boy underwent military training under Russian occupation.
- A 13-year-old girl survived a Russian combat drone strike.
- Ukraine's Justice Ministry confirmed 20,610 cases of child deportation as of September 2026.
- The ICC issued arrest warrants for Putin and Lvova-Belova in 2023.
Ukraine has brought home 23 more children from Russian-occupied territory over the past week, the presidential initiative Bring Kids Back UA announced on Oct. 19. The rescued children are now receiving psychological support and assistance in restoring their Ukrainian documents. Among the children returned was 9-year-old Stefan, who was forced to undergo military training including handling grenades and firearms. Another child, 13-year-old Polina, survived a Russian combat drone strike near her home and had her communication devices destroyed by Russian troops. As of September 2026, Ukraine's Justice Ministry has officially confirmed 20,610 cases of deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. Human rights groups estimate that hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian children are under Russian control. In 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia's Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova for their role in state-sanctioned child abductions.