US launches new programs to return Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia

The United States is launching new funding for programs to find, return, rehabilitate and reintegrate Ukrainian children whom Russia deported or forcibly transferred. The State Department announced a $12 million program, as well as preparations for another $15 million program.

State Department representatives announced the new support on September 24 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly during an event dedicated to the deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children, as well as their militarization and indoctrination by Russia.

The $12 million program is intended to support the return, rehabilitation and full reintegration of children and young people returning from Russia and temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Another $15 million is planned to be directed to a separate program for the search, identification and return of Ukrainian children. According to Bring Kids Back UA, a decision on the second program is expected by the end of 2026.

Thus, American support is supposed to cover the entire process - from locating the child and organizing their return to assistance after returning to Ukraine.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga stated that the programs will help coordinate the work of returning children and bringing Russia to accountability. Bring Kids Back UA head Maksym Maksymov also noted that the funding will cover assistance to children and their families from the search stage to recovery after return.

According to the Ukrainian side, the Ministry of Justice has verified more than 20.6 thousand cases of possible deportation and forced transfer of children by Russia. At the same time, Ukraine emphasizes that the real scale may be much larger, since Russia does not provide full information about the children's whereabouts.

Based on materials from: The Kyiv Independent, Bring Kids Back UA / UNITED24 Media