International Missing Children's Day: Searching and Hoping

Every year on May 25, the world remembers the children who never returned home. For Ukraine, this day has carried a special, deeply tragic significance for over four years now. The war has torn Ukrainian families apart, destroyed homes, and taken away what is most preciousa safe childhood.

Behind every number lies the unbearable pain of parents, a broken heart, and hope that never fades for a moment.

International Missing Children’s Day was established in 2001 with the aim of drawing public attention to the issue of missing children and supporting search initiatives. For Ukraine, it has become a reminder of the war crimes committed by Russia and of the duty of the state and the international community to return every child home.

As of today, since the start of the full-scale war, 2,318 children remain missing. Additionally, according to official data, at least 19,546 Ukrainian children have been illegally abducted and deported to Russia. These are only the documented cases, and the actual number may be significantly higher.

Government institutions and international partners are utilizing all national and international tools to find, rescue, and return every young Ukrainian to their home. The search continues until the child is safe.

The “Bring Kids Back UA” campaign is underway in Ukraine, bringing together the National Police, the Office of the Ombudsman, and international organizations. More than 1,200 children have already been returned, but thousands more are still waiting for help. A unified DNA database of relatives is being created to identify and reunite families.

Every missing child is a tragedy for the family and the nation. Russia’s mass abductions and deportations of children have been recognized by international courts as war crimes. The return of children is a prerequisite for any peace negotiations: no agreement can be concluded without their release.

International Missing Children's Day in Ukraine is not only a day of remembrance but also a call to action. Every child has the right to return home.

The symbol of this day around the world is the forget-me-not flower.

Let’s not forget those who are still being searched for!