April 20, 2026, 4:21 p.mApril 20, 2026, 4:21 p.m
International investigators, together with Europol, have identified and tracked down 45 suspected kidnapped Ukrainian children. The children were probably forcibly taken to the occupied territories of Ukraine, Russia or Belarus, Europol said in The Hague.
The information was handed over to the Ukrainian authorities. Special investigators from 18 countries took part in the search in The Hague for two days. The International Criminal Court was also involved in the Europol operation. According to information from Europol, the results can lead to the whereabouts of the deported children.
Searched for children using facial recognition
The experts tried to find the children online using digital sources and facial recognition. The basis is, for example, children’s photos of the parents. Among other things, transport routes were identified as well as military units that were involved in the deportation. It is Europol’s third international digital search operation for Ukraine’s abducted children.
According to Europol, more than 19,500 children have been abducted from the occupied territories to Russia or Belarus since the war began a good four years ago. Some were adopted by Russians, others were held in re-education camps or psychiatric hospitals.
The International Criminal Court therefore initiated investigations and issued international arrest warrants against Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Maria Lwowa-Belowa. (sda/dpa)