Today, 24 August, Ukraine’s Independence Day, members of UAZA in Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg are calling South Africa to action with posters saying #BringKidsBackUA – 20,000 stolen children – and #StandWithUkraine.

34 years ago, on this day, Ukrainians regained their freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and democracy. 11 years ago, in February 2014, russia invaded Ukraine and continues its aggression.

• In June 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa called on Putin to return over 19,500 Ukrainian children illegally deported to russia. Putin refused.

• In November 2024, South Africa expressed readiness to become a mediator in the return of Ukrainian children kidnapped by russia.

• In April 2025, President Zelensky handed President Ramaphosa a list of 400 children.

We know that President Ramaphosa and other officials are in regular communication with putin and russia. We hope that every meeting they have the topic of Ukrainian children would be discussed. Because every day children are separated from their communities and families.

Please watch video here