European Parliament urges Russia to return deported Ukrainian children

Members of the European Parliament have demanded that Russia immediately stop the practice of forcibly deporting Ukrainian children, stressing Moscow's full responsibility for safeguarding the rights of children living in the occupied territories.In a resolution (source in Russian) adopted by 536 votes in favour, 8 against and 37 abstentions, European lawmakers condemned Russia's systematic deportation of Ukrainian children, their forcible transfer, illegal adoption, forced Russification, ideological indoctrination and militarisation during the war.The European Parliament had already adopted a similar resolution (source in English) (source in Russian) more than a year ago.MEPs called on Russia to immediately, safely and unconditionally return all deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children from territories under its control to Ukraine free from occupation.According to Brussels' calculations, as of September 2026, 20,651 cases of deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children by Russia have been confirmed. At the same time, it is estimated that around 1.6 million Ukrainian children remain in territories occupied by Russia. As of 28 October 2026, 2,752 children who had been deported, forcibly taken away or evacuated from occupied territories have been returned.The text states that returning the children is an obligation under international law and cannot be used as a subject of political bargaining or linked to territorial concessions, prisoner exchanges or other political agreements.Such return, the authors of the resolution argue…