Ukraine says Russia withholds data on deported children
Ukraine says Russia has provided information on only about 20% of 339 Ukrainian children whose names Kyiv handed over during talks in Istanbul, leaving more than 200 cases unanswered.
Maksym Maksymov, head of Ukraine’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative, accused Russia of obstructing returns by changing children's legal status, restricting family contact and blocking independent monitoring.
Ukraine says 20,651 cases verified
Kyiv says it had verified 20,651 cases of the deportation or forced transfer of Ukrainian children as of Sept. 18, 2026.
Ukraine says 2,616 children have been returned, including 673 this year.
Maksymov said the verified figure does not represent the total number of children taken from Ukraine, adding that cases are difficult to confirm because Kyiv receives limited information from Russia.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in 2023 for Russian President Vladimir Putin and children's rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova over alleged unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children.
Russia rejects the allegations and says children were evacuated from areas affected by the war.
Ukraine says returning the children remains a key humanitarian issue in negotiations with Moscow.
