Hundreds of Ukrainian children were evacuated to Italy. Kyiv is now battling to get them back

Hundreds of Ukrainian Children Evacuated to Italy: Kyiv’s Repatriation Challenge

Hundreds of Ukrainian children were evacuated to Italy as part of a humanitarian effort during the war, but now Kyiv is facing a legal battle to bring them back. Four years into Russia’s invasion, the fate of over 200 minors who arrived in Naples has become a point of contention between the Ukrainian government and Italian authorities. Initially intended as temporary residents, these children have been increasingly assigned Italian legal guardians, complicating their return. Ukrainian officials argue that Italy’s adoption process is hindering their ability to reunite with the children, echoing concerns about those taken to Russia. The dispute highlights a growing rift over the rights of Ukrainian children and their connection to their homeland.

The Evacuation and Its Aftermath

In the summer of 2022, Liubov Rudyka, a director at a children’s home in Sumy, Ukraine, organized the evacuation of 25 minors to Naples. At the time, the city was under heavy Russian attack, and the charity had sought safe refuge for the children. Rudyka believed the move would offer temporary relief, but months later, the situation shifted. Italian courts began assigning legal guardianship, turning the evacuation into a prolonged stay. This development has led to frustration in Kyiv, as the original plan of repatriation now seems uncertain.

“I thought it would be like a summer camp: the children would spend some time in Italy and then return,” Rudyka told CNN. “But after about three weeks, perhaps a month, they began to be assigned Italian legal guardians.”

The Italian government’s approach has drawn criticism, with Ukrainian officials claiming it mirrors the treatment of children in Russia. By treating the minors as unaccompanied refugees, Italy’s legal system has created barriers to repatriation, even as the children remain tied to their families. This has left Kyiv struggling to assert its authority over the children’s future, raising concerns about cultural and familial disconnection.

A Demographic Dilemma

The issue is not just legal—it also reflects Ukraine’s broader demographic crisis. With a population projected to shrink by over 10 million in the coming decades, repatriating children is essential for sustaining the nation’s growth. Kyiv emphasizes that prolonged stays abroad risk severing the children’s ties to Ukrainian identity and culture. “The longer the children remain in Italy, the less likely they are to return home,” said Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman. “This is a major concern for a country already struggling to maintain its population.”

Lubinets has accused Italy of enforcing a rigid legal framework that prevents Ukrainian officials from reclaiming the children. “We continue to send official requests, but Italian representatives say the judiciary is independent and cannot be influenced,” he noted. This stance has been compared to Russia’s handling of Ukrainian children, where thousands were taken under the guise of protection. The parallels have intensified Kyiv’s urgency to resolve the dispute.

“Italy’s attitude is, in fact, no different from the Russian side’s position,” Lubinets said. “They have taken our children away and are denying us access to them.”

Legal Framework and Challenges

Italy’s legal reforms, designed to protect unaccompanied minors, now pose a challenge for Ukraine. The policy, established during the European migrant crisis, prioritizes the best interests of the child over their original family ties. While this was meant to safeguard vulnerable youth, it has been used to justify the adoption of Ukrainian children, many still connected to their parents. The Italian Ombudsman for Children and Adolescents, along with the Commission for International Adoption, defends the system, citing privacy laws and the need to protect the minors.

Despite these claims, Kyiv insists that the legal framework is being misapplied. “The Italian courts are not considering the children’s Ukrainian roots,” said a Ukrainian official. “They are making decisions based on their own criteria, which may not align with the children’s best interests.” The conflict has created a situation where the children are caught between two countries, each asserting its right to custody. This legal tug-of-war has left the children in a state of limbo, with their futures uncertain.

“We have to fight for every child to ensure they return to their home country,” said a Ukrainian diplomat. “This is not just about legal procedures—it’s about preserving their identity and heritage.”

International Reactions and Future Outlook

International observers have weighed in on the dispute, with some expressing solidarity with Kyiv’s efforts. The European Union, which has previously supported Ukraine’s refugee policies, is now scrutinizing Italy’s adoption stance. Meanwhile, the United Nations has called for a balance between protecting children and respecting their right to return home. “Every child has a right to their origin, and this should be a priority in any adoption process,” stated a UN representative.

As the situation continues, Kyiv is exploring diplomatic and legal avenues to reclaim the children. Negotiations are ongoing, with both sides acknowledging the complexity of the issue. “We need a resolution that ensures the children’s welfare while respecting their homeland ties,” said a Ukrainian official. The outcome of this dispute could set a precedent for future repatriation efforts and influence how other nations handle similar cases.