March 17, 2023, marked a significant milestone in the fight to hold Russia accountable for its crimes. On this day, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova for the unlawful deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children. The issuance of the warrants was only the first step toward justice.
Putin and Lvova-Belova are suspected of responsibility for a war crime under Articles 8(2)(a)(vii) and 8(2)(b)(viii) of the Rome Statute — the forcible transfer and deportation of civilians, particularly children, from occupied territories of Ukraine to Russia.
Evidence of this crime includes facts collected by Ukrainian investigators, international organizations, and public statements made by Lvova-Belova herself, who openly admitted to arranging the placement of deported Ukrainian children into Russian families.
Two years after this decision, the crime of deporting Ukrainian children continues. Today, over 1.6 million Ukrainian children remain under Russian control — both in occupied territories and as a result of deportation. These children face systematic Russification, militarization, and ideological indoctrination, representing an attempt to erase their Ukrainian identity.
The return of every child, the punishment of those responsible, and the creation of international guarantees to prevent these crimes from recurring are key conditions for achieving just peace.
The initiative of the President of Ukraine, Bring Kids Back UA, was launched to ensure the return of all Ukrainian children home. As of March 17, 2025, thanks to the combined efforts of state authorities and international partners, the initiative has successfully returned 1,243 children.
Despite the ICC's decision and mounting international pressure, Russia continues to conceal information about abducted children, obstructs their return, and violates humanitarian law. As a result, Ukraine is working to expand its legal and diplomatic instruments to ensure that every abducted child can return home and that those responsible are held accountable.
This year, the anniversary of the ICC decision will serve as an opportunity to once again draw the international community’s attention to this issue and highlight the importance of continuing efforts to rescue Ukrainian children. We urge everyone to support the Bring Kids Back UA initiative and to demand justice!