{"id":1894012,"date":"2026-04-20T14:34:29","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T11:34:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1894012"},"modified":"2026-04-20T14:34:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T11:34:29","slug":"europol-hackathon-sleuths-trace-45-ukrainian-children-forcibly-deported-to-russia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1894012","title":{"rendered":"Europol &#8216;hackathon&#8217; sleuths trace 45 Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/86\/52\/1200x675_cmsv2_998f2023-a7ae-5c3d-924c-2c8f440a56bc-9728652.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2887790-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887790\" data-cid=\"9729640\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887790-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/40\/189x106_cmsv2_9aaec376-b058-5fe2-951b-7ec34ea8940b-9729640.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Participants in the Pride march cross the Elisabeth Bridge in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo\/Rudolf Karancsi)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU Court rules Hungary&#8217;s anti LGTBQ+ law breaches core values\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887793-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887793\" data-cid=\"9729657\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887793-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/57\/189x106_cmsv2_72f87509-d69c-5399-a0b1-de1a45b8f0cc-9729657.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Martin Scorsese\u2019s Pope Francis film \u2018Aldeas\u2019 premieres at Vatican one year after pontiff\u2019s death\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Cinema<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Aldeas&#8217;: Martin Scorsese\u2019s Pope Francis film to premiere at Vatican\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887778-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887778\" data-cid=\"9729541\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887778-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/41\/189x106_cmsv2_888fb688-3e2a-54e3-aab1-989d5e7522ce-9729541.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"AmirAli Mirjafari in court\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran hangs man accused of ties to Israel and arson during protests\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887608-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2887608\" data-cid=\"9728651\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887608-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/86\/51\/189x106_cmsv2_1e998e56-3199-586e-9122-8eb4a75ee4db-9728651.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"JJ\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Watch: Europe\u2019s relationship with Israel is fracturing \u2014 how far will it go?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887790-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887790\" data-cid=\"9729640\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887790-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/40\/189x106_cmsv2_9aaec376-b058-5fe2-951b-7ec34ea8940b-9729640.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Participants in the Pride march cross the Elisabeth Bridge in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo\/Rudolf Karancsi)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU Court rules Hungary&#8217;s anti LGTBQ+ law breaches core values\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887793-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887793\" data-cid=\"9729657\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887793-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/57\/189x106_cmsv2_72f87509-d69c-5399-a0b1-de1a45b8f0cc-9729657.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Martin Scorsese\u2019s Pope Francis film \u2018Aldeas\u2019 premieres at Vatican one year after pontiff\u2019s death\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Cinema<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Aldeas&#8217;: Martin Scorsese\u2019s Pope Francis film to premiere at Vatican\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887778-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887778\" data-cid=\"9729541\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887778-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/41\/189x106_cmsv2_888fb688-3e2a-54e3-aab1-989d5e7522ce-9729541.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"AmirAli Mirjafari in court\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran hangs man accused of ties to Israel and arson during protests\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887608-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2887608\" data-cid=\"9728651\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887608-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/86\/51\/189x106_cmsv2_1e998e56-3199-586e-9122-8eb4a75ee4db-9728651.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"JJ\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Watch: Europe\u2019s relationship with Israel is fracturing \u2014 how far will it go?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Europol &#8216;hackathon&#8217; sleuths trace 45 Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/86\/52\/1536x864_cmsv2_998f2023-a7ae-5c3d-924c-2c8f440a56bc-9728652.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"FILE: Flowers and toys left on a swing to commemorate victims killed in Russia's missile attack at a play area near damaged apartment buildings, in Kryvyi Rih, 5 April 2025\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              FILE: Flowers and toys left on a swing to commemorate victims killed in Russia&#8217;s missile attack at a play area near damaged apartment buildings, in Kryvyi Rih, 5 April 2025<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspGavin Blackburn&amp;nbsp&amp;&amp;nbspSasha Vakulina\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1776695669\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-04-20 16:34:29 +02:00\">20\/04\/2026 &#8211; 16:34 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\" class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__header u-display-flex\"><span>Share<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-close.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"Close Button\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-partage-commentaire-close\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content u-display-flex\">\n<div id=\"partage-commentaire-popup-content-container\" class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__container u-display-flex\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-facebook.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"facebook\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Facebook<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-facebook.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"facebook\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-twitter.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"twitter\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Twitter<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-twitter.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"twitter\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-flipboard.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"flipboard\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Flipboard<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-flipboard.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"flipboard\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-send.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"send\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Send<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-send.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"send\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-reddit.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"reddit\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Reddit<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-reddit.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"reddit\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-linkedin.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"linkedin\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Linkedin<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-linkedin.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"linkedin\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-messenger.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"messenger\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Messenger<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-messenger.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"messenger\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"telegram\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Telegram<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"telegram\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"vk\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>VK<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"vk\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Following Russia&#8217;s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, tens of thousands of Ukrainian children have been forcibly moved out of their country and to Russia, according to officials and independent experts.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Dozens of sleuths have traced 45 Ukrainian children forcibly taken to Russia during an open-source investigative blitz hosted by Europol, it said on Monday.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Europol effort saw 40 investigators from 18 countries gather in The Hague for two days last week to use publicly available information known as open-source intelligence or OSINT to locate some of the children.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In total, information about 45 children was uncovered and shared with Ukrainian authorities to assist their ongoing investigations,&#8221; <strong>Europol said in a statement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6659159159159159\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/86\/52\/808x539_cmsv2_d28bb557-3aa1-596e-9a31-9572a58e5e0f-9728652.jpg\" alt=\"Investigators looking into the whereabouts of abducted Ukrainian children at Europol headquaters in The Hague, 16 April, 2026 \"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Investigators looking into the whereabouts of abducted Ukrainian children at Europol headquaters in The Hague, 16 April, 2026 <\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">https:\/\/www.europol.europa.eu\/<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;During this hackathon, investigators relied on various digital tools in their searches allowing them to trace the whereabouts of the children,&#8221; it said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Some of these children have been adopted by Russian nationals, while others are being held in re-education camps or psychiatric hospitals.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Following Russia&#8217;s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, tens of thousands of Ukrainian children were forcibly deported to Russia, according to officials and existing data.<\/p>\n<p>A UN international commission of inquiry recently accused Moscow of committing &#8220;crimes against humanity&#8221; and obstructing their return.<\/p>\n<p>The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian Commissioner for Children\u2019s Rights, for alleged war crimes involving the unlawful deportation and transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Efforts to return abducted children home<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>To date, Ukraine has managed to bring back around 2,000 children forcefully deported by Russia. <\/p>\n<p>Ukrainian authorities have so far confirmed some 20,000 cases, while independent experts and human rights organisations believe the number could be as high as 300,000.<\/p>\n<p>The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) think tank said that the true number of deported children is almost impossible to verify.<\/p>\n<p>For Ukraine <strong>it can take years to return one child<\/strong> from Russia after abduction, from the beginning of the identification until the return takes place.<\/p>\n<p>Almost every return so far has been mediated by a third state, notably Qatar, South Africa and the Vatican.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.666\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/86\/52\/808x539_cmsv2_e58e6560-3c70-54bf-b234-97a33c2704b4-9728652.jpg\" alt=\"FILE: Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures while addressing a crowd at a concert marking his victory in a presidential election on Red Square in Moscow, 18 March 2024\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE: Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures while addressing a crowd at a concert marking his victory in a presidential election on Red Square in Moscow, 18 March 2024<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Maksym Maksymov, head of projects at Bring Kids Back Ukraine, told Euronews that, with the returns, Kyiv is also seeking international support in its investigations.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Ukraine is working with international partners to bring every deported child home and to document these crimes for both national and international justice,&#8221; he said. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The scale of these violations goes far beyond a single case, which is why sustained cooperation is essential,&#8221; Maksymov explained.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Gazprom and Rosneft tied to deportation of Ukrainian children, Yale report says<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Ukrainian children taken at gunpoint by Russian forces in Kherson, documents show <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>In March, the United Nations said that the deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia constitutes a crime against humanity and a war crime.<\/p>\n<p>A new report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine said Russian authorities &#8220;at the highest level&#8221; have deported &#8220;thousands&#8221; of children from occupied areas of Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>Putin&#8217;s &#8220;direct involvement&#8221; has been &#8220;visible form the outset,&#8221; it added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-contributors c-article-contributors-supplementary u-margin-top-2 u-padding-top-2\">\n<p>Additional sources<strong> \u2022 AFP<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Ukraine targeted with over 230 Russian drones, Zelenskyy blasts US green light for Russian oil<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Moscow bombards Ukraine while Kyiv targets Russian oil facilities<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Potential targets: Moscow releases data about European firms making drones for Ukraine<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Deportation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Europol<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Russia<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Ukraine<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    War in Ukraine<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Russia&#8217;s invasion of Ukraine<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2887766-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887766\" data-cid=\"9729506\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887766-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/06\/320x180_cmsv2_fc43a89a-0f27-527a-b64c-440a314dd652-9729506.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: Mourners carry Iranian flags as they gather during a funeral procession in Tehran, 1 April 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    US-Iran ceasefire on brink as talks stall and Hormuz crisis deepens<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2887790-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887790\" data-cid=\"9729640\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887790-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/40\/320x180_cmsv2_9aaec376-b058-5fe2-951b-7ec34ea8940b-9729640.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Participants in the Pride march cross the Elisabeth Bridge in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo\/Rudolf Karancsi)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU Court rules Hungary&#8217;s anti LGTBQ+ law breaches core values<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2887694-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887694\" data-cid=\"9729198\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887694-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/91\/98\/320x180_cmsv2_00d4ad5c-79dc-5dec-b921-9b30cba2c726-9729198.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Espen Barth Eide, Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs &amp; Maria Tadeo, EUronews\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Appetite among NATO members to join Iran war &#8216;very limited&#8217;, says Eide<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2887593-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887593\" data-cid=\"9728642\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887593-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/70\/23\/11\/320x180_cmsv2_b8d5a000-9d3f-520b-a9f5-6190864e7a43-9702311.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Made in Germany: These components are driving Russian drones into Ukraine\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    German-made components found in Russian drones despite EU sanctions<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2887778-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887778\" data-cid=\"9729541\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887778-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/41\/320x180_cmsv2_888fb688-3e2a-54e3-aab1-989d5e7522ce-9729541.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"AmirAli Mirjafari in court\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran hangs man accused of ties to Israel and arson during protests<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2887010-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887010\" data-cid=\"9726054\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU population to fall by 12% by 2100: Which countries most affected?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2887344-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887344\" data-cid=\"9727417\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Bulgaria&#8217;s former President Rumen Radev wins parliamentary vote<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2887411-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887411\" data-cid=\"9727670\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran pulls out of Islamabad peace talks after US seizes cargo ship<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2886906-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2886906\" data-cid=\"9725344\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Radev wins in Bulgaria as Orb\u00e1n hints at lifting Ukraine loan veto<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2886836-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2886836\" data-cid=\"9725051\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Which European countries will be the richest by 2030?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887766-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887766\" data-cid=\"9729506\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887766-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/06\/320x180_cmsv2_fc43a89a-0f27-527a-b64c-440a314dd652-9729506.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: Mourners carry Iranian flags as they gather during a funeral procession in Tehran, 1 April 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    US-Iran ceasefire on brink as talks stall and Hormuz crisis deepens<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887790-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887790\" data-cid=\"9729640\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887790-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/40\/320x180_cmsv2_9aaec376-b058-5fe2-951b-7ec34ea8940b-9729640.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Participants in the Pride march cross the Elisabeth Bridge in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo\/Rudolf Karancsi)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU Court rules Hungary&#8217;s anti LGTBQ+ law breaches core values<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887694-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887694\" data-cid=\"9729198\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887694-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/91\/98\/320x180_cmsv2_00d4ad5c-79dc-5dec-b921-9b30cba2c726-9729198.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Espen Barth Eide, Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs &amp; Maria Tadeo, EUronews\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Appetite among NATO members to join Iran war &#8216;very limited&#8217;, says Eide<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887593-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887593\" data-cid=\"9728642\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887593-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/70\/23\/11\/320x180_cmsv2_b8d5a000-9d3f-520b-a9f5-6190864e7a43-9702311.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Made in Germany: These components are driving Russian drones into Ukraine\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    German-made components found in Russian drones despite EU sanctions<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887778-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887778\" data-cid=\"9729541\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887778-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/41\/320x180_cmsv2_888fb688-3e2a-54e3-aab1-989d5e7522ce-9729541.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"AmirAli Mirjafari in court\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran hangs man accused of ties to Israel and arson during protests<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887010-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887010\" data-cid=\"9726054\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU population to fall by 12% by 2100: Which countries most affected?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887344-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887344\" data-cid=\"9727417\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Bulgaria&#8217;s former President Rumen Radev wins parliamentary vote<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887411-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887411\" data-cid=\"9727670\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran pulls out of Islamabad peace talks after US seizes cargo ship<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2886906-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2886906\" data-cid=\"9725344\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Radev wins in Bulgaria as Orb\u00e1n hints at lifting Ukraine loan veto<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2886836-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2886836\" data-cid=\"9725051\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Which European countries will be the richest by 2030?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Dozens of sleuths have traced 45 Ukrainian children forcibly taken to Russia during an open-source investigative blitz hosted by Europol, it said on Monday.The Europol effort saw 40 investigators from 18 countries gather in The Hague for two days last week to use publicly available information known as open-source intelligence or OSINT to locate some of the children.&#8221;In total, information about 45 children was uncovered and shared with Ukrainian authorities to assist their ongoing investigations,&#8221; Europol said in a statement.&#8221;During this hackathon, investigators relied on various digital tools in their searches allowing them to trace the whereabouts of the children,&#8221; it said.&#8221;Some of these children have been adopted by Russian nationals, while others are being held in re-education camps or psychiatric hospitals.&#8221;Following Russia&#8217;s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, tens of thousands of Ukrainian children were forcibly deported to Russia, according to officials and existing data.A UN international commission of inquiry recently accused Moscow of committing &#8220;crimes against humanity&#8221; and obstructing their return.The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian Commissioner for Children\u2019s Rights, for alleged war crimes involving the unlawful deportation and transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation.Efforts to return abducted children homeTo date, Ukraine has managed to bring back around 2,000 children forcefully deported by Russia.Ukrainian authorities have so far confirmed some 20,000 cases, while independent experts and human rights organisations believe the number could be as high as 300,000.The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) think tank said that the true number of deported children is almost impossible to verify.For Ukraine it can take years to return one child\u00a0from Russia after abduction, from the beginning of the identification until the return takes place.Almost every return so far has been mediated by a third state, notably Qatar, South Africa and the Vatican.Maksym Maksymov, head of projects at Bring Kids Back Ukraine, told Euronews that, with the returns, Kyiv is also seeking international support in its investigations.&#8221;Ukraine is working with international partners to bring every deported child home and to document these crimes for both national and international justice,&#8221; he said.&#8221;The scale of these violations goes far beyond a single case, which is why sustained cooperation is essential,&#8221; Maksymov explained.In March, the United Nations said that the deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia constitutes a crime against humanity and a war crime.A new report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine said Russian authorities &#8220;at the highest level&#8221; have deported &#8220;thousands&#8221; of children from occupied areas of Ukraine.Putin&#8217;s &#8220;direct involvement&#8221; has been &#8220;visible form the outset,&#8221; it added.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/04\/20\/europol-hackathon-sleuths-trace-45-ukrainian-children-forcibly-deported-to-russia&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/86\/52\/1200x675_cmsv2_998f2023-a7ae-5c3d-924c-2c8f440a56bc-9728652.jpg&#8221;] Europe News EU Court rules Hungary&#8217;s anti LGTBQ+ law breaches core values Cinema &#8216;Aldeas&#8217;: Martin Scorsese\u2019s Pope Francis film to premiere at Vatican Iran Iran hangs man accused of ties to Israel and arson during protests Europe Today Watch: Europe\u2019s relationship with Israel is fracturing \u2014 how far will it go? Europe [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1894012","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1894012","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1894012"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1894012\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1894012"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1894012"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1894012"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}