Ukrainian databases on children abducted by russia remain secure and continuously updated – Kateryna Rashevska

The database with information on Ukrainian children deported by russia remains intact and securely stored, despite ongoing speculation surrounding its status.

Kateryna Rashevska, an expert at the Regional Center for Human Rights, affirmed the database’s safety during a briefing at Media Center Ukraine.

“I can assure you that the Regional Center for Human Rights’ database has not been deleted and remains in a very secure location. The same applies to the other database that has been the focus of discussion for several weeks now,” Rashevska stated.

She clarified that this critical database contains records of 19,546 children, which Ukrainian authorities actively utilize for ongoing efforts. The Ministry of Justice is currently engaged in updating and verifying the database to reflect changes that have occurred since the onset of russia’s full-scale invasion three years ago.

“We consistently refer to the figure of 19,546 children. This is Ukraine’s data, and Ukraine possesses it. At present, the Ministry of Justice is working on this registry to clean it up, verify the information, and bring it up to date,” Rashevska emphasized.

According to her, it is essential to consider that some children deported early in the war or from Crimea have since reached adulthood, necessitating adjustments to the list for the purpose of their return.

“We must understand that children are already under oversight. If we’re talking about the beginning of the full-scale invasion, three years have passed. And if we’re referring to children taken from the Crimean peninsula, it has been 11 years,” Rashevska added.

The process of verifying, updating, and maintaining tracking information remains ongoing, aimed at enhancing efforts to facilitate the safe return of Ukrainian children from temporarily occupied territories.

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