On 24 February we marked four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine — and twelve years since Russia first violated Ukraine’s sovereignty in 2014. 

Russia forcibly relocated 20,000-35,000 of Ukrainian children. 

This is not “evacuation.” 

This is a state-run system of abduction, indoctrination, militarisation and forced assimilation.

Children are stripped of their names, language, citizenship and identity. Boys aged 14–17 are specifically targeted. Ukrainian passports are replaced with Russian ones. Without Russian documents, families are denied access to healthcare and social services.

The goal is clear:

Erase Ukrainian identity. Create future soldiers. Destroy a nation from within.

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin for the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children. The world sees these crimes. There must be accountability.

 

Ukrainian Association of South Africa organised two peaceful protests — in Pretoria and Cape Town — to stand for justice, to demand the return of Ukrainian children, and to call for an end to this war.

Ukraine and South Africa share a history of fighting injustice. We remember how Ukraine supported the anti-apartheid struggle. And today we are grateful to South Africa and President Cyril Ramaphosa for supporting international efforts to return Ukrainian children home.

Unable to defeat Ukrainian military, Russia recruits vulnerable Africans, as well as South Africans to join Russian army and to send them to die in their war against Ukraine. 

This is not liberation 

This is exploitation

Ukraine is fighting not only for its own future — but for the principles of freedom and international law. 

 

🇺🇦We call on South Africa🇿🇦

❗️Stop Putin.

❗️Stop the war.

❗️Return the stolen children.

❗️Stop killing Ukrainians for their identity and their right to be free and independent.