“Lost Childhood” exhibition in London highlights Russian deportation of Ukrainian children

The Palace of Westminster in London hosted the "Lost Childhood" exhibition, which was part of a public event in the British Parliament titled "Crimes Against Children as Methods of Genocide." The event was dedicated to the International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Genocide.

Dariia Zarivna, advisor to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and operational director of the Bring Kids Back UA initiative, shared this on Telegram, according to Rubryka.

"The Bring Kids Back UA initiative, launched by the President of Ukraine, amplified its voice in London this week," Zarivna stated. "The Palace of Westminster hosted the 'Lost Childhood' exhibition as part of this important event."

Zarivna emphasized that Russia's actions are currently directed at destroying the Ukrainian nation.

"To safeguard Ukraine's identity and future, we need global unity and support," she stated. "Genocide is rightly called the 'crime of crimes.' While the threshold for proving it is very high, the punishment must be equally severe. The international community's responsibility is to prevent such atrocities from happening elsewhere in the world."

She also highlighted the emotional impact of the exhibition, noting that photographs of children's eyes, captured by Ukrainian photographer Roman Pashkovskyi, underscored the urgency and significance of this mission.

The event was attended by Lady Helena Kennedy, Director of the Human Rights Institute of the International Bar Association and Co-Chair of the international expert group Bring Kids Back UA.

The event highlighted the critical importance of sharing the truth about the deportation and forced re-education of Ukrainian children by the Russian occupiers.

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On December 4, the United Nations Security Council convened to discuss Russia's crimes against Ukrainian children.

During the meeting, Daria Zarivna presented evidence to the members of the UN Security Council, showing how Russia is forging documents for Ukrainian children in an attempt to erase their identity.

Additionally, it is important to note that the work of the International Expert Group Bring Kids Back UA plays a crucial role in shaping the priorities and activities of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. This coalition was formed in early December 2023, with its founding meeting held in Kyiv.

What is known about the deportation of children to the temporary occupied territories and to Russia?

Since the start of the full-scale Russian aggression in 2022, Russian military forces have been forcibly deporting Ukrainian children to Russia and the territories under its control. In response, Ukraine has created a map detailing the locations of camps where these children are being sent.

According to Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, the deportation of more than 19,500 Ukrainian children has been officially confirmed.

Furthermore, on January 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an order allowing Ukrainian children to be granted Russian citizenship. This decree aims to prevent the deported children from remaining "legally stateless" in the Russian Federation.

As of now, Ukraine has successfully returned 1,032 children from the occupied territories and Russia since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.