Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war, thousands of Ukrainian children have been abducted in unimaginable circumstances, taken from their families and moved into Russian-controlled territory where many are still trapped.
Some were placed in institutions, others in Russian families. Many have been required to speak only Russian and to cheer on Russian troops and policy; some have even been militarized and placed on the front lines to fight against their home country.
Ukrainian families have been desperate to get their children back, and AFFEO partner Nikolai Kuleba has been leading that charge, coordinating 3,000-mile journeys across enemy lines to pick up children and reunite them with their parents. Nikolai is the founder of Save Ukraine, the largest network of volunteers rescuing Ukrainian children deported to Russia.
More than 600 children have been rescued, but there are many more to go … and efforts are intensifying to bring those kids home.
As Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. talk peace, several AFFEO board members have been fiercely advocating (in D.C. and beyond) for kidnapped Ukrainian children and those trapped in Russian-controlled territories. Won’t you please join us in prayer that a just peace for Ukraine will come soon … AND that all of these precious Ukrainian children will be returned to their families and homeland?
It is also becoming increasingly clear that rescue isn’t enough … it’s not possible to simply pick up a child in Russian-controlled territory, get him or her home, and hope for the best. These children have been deeply traumatized — emotionally, relationally, and sometimes physically. Many have been living without parents for years now! Upon reunification, both the parents and the children (especially teenagers) need specialized help to heal. Would you also please pray that God would provide the necessary funds for this specialized care? Your prayers are crucial and absolutely life-changing for these children and their families! Without professional help many families will struggle to become whole and work through issues that could otherwise tear them apart … again.
Thank you for remembering the most vulnerable in your prayers!