Frequently asked questions about Ukraine's stolen children

No one knows the full number — Russia refuses to share records, which is itself a violation of international law. Ukraine’s official Children of War database has identified 22,222 children as deported or forcibly displaced as of mid-2026, and Ukrainian authorities estimate the true figure may be between 200,000 and 300,000. Russia’s own officials have claimed more than 700,000 children were “relocated”. Of all identified children, only around 1,200 have come home. In March 2026, the UN Commission of Inquiry concluded that these deportations amount to crimes against humanity.

Deported children are given Russian names, documents and citizenship, placed in Russian families or “re-education” camps, and cut off from their language and culture. Older children face conscription into the same army that took them. The longer a child is held, the harder the return becomes — which is why we say: before it’s too late.

Our process has four steps. First, a parent or guardian reports a missing child to us. Second, our investigators — including OSINT researchers — trace where the child was taken. Third, our team organizes and funds the retrieval journey: because Russia does not cooperate with organizations, a family member, often a mother or grandmother, must physically travel thousands of kilometers through third countries to claim the child, and we prepare the route, documents, legal support and every cost. Fourth, we support the reunited family with medical care, psychological care and legal aid for as long as they need it. Since 2022 we have brought home 50 children this way. Read more about what we do.

When Russia occupied the Kherson region in 2022, it took 84 children from the Oleshky boarding school for children with disabilities under the guise of a “humanitarian evacuation”. Our investigation has located 46 of them so far. Thirteen have come home; six died. The case was covered by The New York Times, and we continue to work with the families of those still held. Read our findings.

Yes — in more than 20 countries. In the Netherlands, Emile Foundation is an ANBI-certified charity, so donations are directly deductible. In the United States, give through our partner Myriad USA, a 501(c)(3). In the United Kingdom, give via the Charities Aid Foundation. Across the EU, we are a member of Transnational Giving Europe, which covers most member states. The country selector on our donate page shows the right route for you.

Of every euro donated, 86 cents fund our operations: investigators, retrieval missions, psychologists, and direct support for families. Nine cents cover administration and five cents fundraising. Every euro is accounted for in our published annual reports.

Add your voice: sign our petition calling on world governments to act. Follow and share our work on social media to keep international attention on the children — silence is Russia’s ally. And subscribe to our newsletter for updates on returns and how to act at key moments.