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The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the Commissioner for Missing Persons under Special Circumstances, the National Police of Ukraine, President of Ukraine’s ‘Bring Kids Back UA’ initiative in cooperation with the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), have launched a nationwide campaign aimed at returning Ukrainian children home in response to the unlawful deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children to the Russian Federation.
Today, May 5th, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Commissioner for Persons Missing under Special Circumstances, the National Police of Ukraine, President of Ukraine’s ‘Bring Kids Back UA’ initiative and the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) announced the launch of a national and international initiative to address the illegal deportation and forced displacement of Ukrainian children to the Russian Federation.
Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children have been deported or forcibly displaced. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Russian officials, recognizing these actions as war crimes. To date, over 1,200 children have been successfully returned to Ukraine.
A key focus of the campaign is the creation of a unified DNA database of relatives of missing children. Ukrainian families are encouraged to submit official applications to the National Police and provide DNA samples to aid in the identification and reunification of children with their loved ones.
“Every child has the right to return home and reclaim their identity,” said Artur Dobroserdov, Commissioner for Missing Persons under Special Circumstances. “We urge relatives, neighbors, and concerned citizens to take part in this national effort. Your voice, your memories—or even your DNA—could be the key to saving a child who has been forcibly displaced.”
The campaign is being rolled out across Ukraine, with particular emphasis on the eastern and southern regions.
“The process of returning children unlawfully taken by occupying forces is long, complex, and deeply challenging,” said Mariana Reva, Director of the Communications Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. “This campaign is designed to raise public awareness and highlight that everyone can play a role in restoring justice. If you have any information about the deportation or displacement of children, report it. If you are related to an abducted child, consider donating DNA. This could be their chance to come home and reconnect with their heritage.”
The initiative includes a broad media campaign encompassing social media outreach, outdoor advertising, and collaboration with local communities through the National Police’s Regional Specialized Centers for Missing Persons under Special Circumstances. These police units, often the first to interact with eyewitnesses and families of missing or deported children, bring valuable expertise in handling such sensitive cases.
“Officers working at our Specialized Centers across the country are ready to receive and assist citizens,” said Maksym Tsutskiridze, First Deputy Head and Chief of the Main Investigation Department. “We urge the public to share any available information about missing or deported children. Only through collective effort can we uncover their fates and bring them home.”
“This outreach campaign seeks to encourage families of missing and deported children to provide data, including family reference samples to help identify children who cannot identify themselves. Collection of data and its secure storage in a centralised database is a key component in accounting for large numbers of missing persons, including missing and deported children.” said ICMP Program Director Europe Matthew Holliday.
A step-by-step guide and contact details for the National Police’s Regional Centers for Missing Persons are now available at this link: https://mvs.gov.ua/upovnovazenii-z-pitan-osib-zniklix-bezvisti-za-osoblivix-obstavin-1/algoritm-dii-dlia-gromadian-iaki-volodiiut-informacijeiu-pro-zniknennia-ditini-cerez-viinu and can be used by the Ukrainian citizens who have information about children missing due to the war.
The information campaign “Bring the Ukrainian Children Home” is implemented by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the Commissioner for Missing Persons under Special Circumstances, the National Police of Ukraine, President of Ukraine’s ‘Bring Kids Back UA’ initiative in cooperation with the ICMP and made possible by the support of the Governments of the Netherlands and Canada.
