“Russia Returns Five Ukrainian Children Amid Mediation from Qatar, Thousands Still Held”
Russia has facilitated the return of five Ukrainian children to Kyiv with the assistance of Qatar’s diplomatic mediation, though concerns persist over the fate of thousands still believed to be held by Moscow amid the ongoing conflict.
According to a report from Russian news agency TASS, six children, including five sent to Ukraine and one reunited with relatives in Russia, were repatriated following mediation efforts at the Qatari embassy in Moscow.
Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s children’s rights commissioner, confirmed the repatriation, stating that a total of 64 children have returned to Ukraine, with six reuniting with relatives in Russia. However, estimates from the Ukrainian government suggest that nearly 30,000 children remain displaced or forcibly removed from their homes due to the war.
The repatriation efforts come amidst ongoing violence in the Belgorod region, where Russia has pledged to evacuate 9,000 children in response to continued shelling from Ukraine. Belgorod’s governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, announced the closure of schools near the border with Ukraine ahead of the school holidays due to safety concerns.
The situation underscores the humanitarian challenges faced by civilians on both sides of the conflict, with Russian President Vladimir Putin promising support for Belgorod residents affected by the violence.
The repatriation of Ukrainian children marks a step towards addressing the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the conflict, though significant challenges remain in ensuring the safe return of all displaced individuals. Meanwhile, concerns persist over the ICC’s arrest warrants issued for Putin and Lvova-Belova regarding forced deportations of Ukrainian children to Russia.
