The U.S. has allocated $25 million to help bring back Ukrainian children abducted by Russia: how the funds will be used
27 March 00:15
The United States has announced a new $25 million aid package for Ukraine to help bring home Ukrainian children whom Russia illegally deported during the full-scale war. The funding will be used to locate the children, return them home, and provide further rehabilitation. This was reported by the U.S. State Department’s press service, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
What exactly will the $25 million be used for?
According to the State Department, the funds are being provided in coordination with the U.S. Congress and will be directed toward two key areas.
The first area is the identification of Ukrainian children who have been forcibly relocated to Russian territory or temporarily occupied territories.
This involves:
- determining the children’s whereabouts;
- documenting the facts of deportation;
- creating an evidence base for international legal proceedings;
- supporting diplomatic mechanisms for their return.
The U.S. emphasizes that determining the children’s whereabouts is a critically important step toward their return.
The second area of focus is assistance for children after their return to Ukraine.
Funding provides for:
- psychological rehabilitation;
- social adaptation;
- medical care;
- family support;
- the integration of children into normal life after experiencing trauma.
How many children have already been returned
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously reported that since the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has already managed to return about 2,000 children.
These are minors who:
- were taken to Russia;
- were moved to occupied territories;
- were separated from their families during hostilities.
At the same time, Ukrainian authorities emphasize that thousands of children remain outside Ukraine’s control.
Why this issue constitutes an international crime
International organizations have repeatedly stated that the deportation of Ukrainian children is illegal.
In particular, on March 11, a United Nations international commission officially recognized the forced displacement of Ukrainian children as a war crime.
Such actions violate:
- the Geneva Conventions;
- international humanitarian law;
- the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Why the U.S. is funding this program
Support for child repatriation programs is part of a broader U.S. policy to hold Russia accountable for war crimes.
Beyond the humanitarian aspect, it is also:
- an element of international legal pressure;
- gathering evidence for tribunals;
- support for justice mechanisms;
- assisting Ukraine in post-war recovery.
How the child repatriation process works
The return of deported children is a complex process that involves:
- the work of Ukrainian government agencies;
- international organizations;
- human rights initiatives;
- diplomatic negotiations;
- the participation of third countries as intermediaries.
This process often takes months or even years due to the difficulty of determining the children’s whereabouts.
The broader context of the return of Ukrainians
On March 26, it was also reported that over four years of operation, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War has managed to repatriate 8,669 citizens.
This demonstrates the extensive efforts of the state and international partners to repatriate Ukrainians from Russian captivity and occupied territories.
Why this assistance is important
The new aid package from the U.S. could significantly accelerate the process of locating children and improve their rehabilitation upon return.
Experts note that long-term psychological support is key to the recovery of children who have survived deportation, propaganda, and forced relocation.
