The international coalition has returned nearly 600 children to Ukraine, according to the ombudsman.

An international coalition, which includes 41 countries and the Council of Europe, has assisted in the return of nearly 600 children to Ukraine each year. This was reported by the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, on Sunday, February 2.   The Ombudsman noted that exactly one year ago, Ukraine and Canada established the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. Today, it has already gained the participation of 41 countries and the Council of Europe, with an open invitation for anyone willing to help.   "Since 2014, following the occupation of Crimea, Russia has systematically abducted Ukrainian children, stripping them of their national identity. After the full-scale invasion in 2022, this policy has taken on a mass character. Thanks to the efforts of Ukraine and international partners, nearly 600 children were returned last year, but thousands remain far from their homes," added Lubinets.   He expressed gratitude to all countries that have already joined the coalition.   It is worth noting that Ukraine has managed to return 1,002 children from Russian territory and temporarily occupied lands, but around 20,000 have been forcibly relocated by the RF.   Ukraine has returned 15 more children from occupation