ICRC in Contact with Russian Official Suspected of War Crimes Over Ukrainian Children’s Return

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been in touch with Maria Lvova-Belova, a Russian official suspected of war crimes, to help reunite Ukrainian families with their forcibly deported children. This marks the first confirmation of high-level international intervention in the matter.

ICRC spokesman, Jason Straziuso, stated that the organization is working in line with its mandate to facilitate family reunification wherever feasible. The UN children’s agency, UNICEF, has also been in contact with Russian officials regarding the children, but has not yet received feedback on its offer to facilitate reunification processes.

Key highlights:

1. ICRC has been in contact with a Russian official suspected of war crimes over the return of Ukrainian children who were deported to Russia.
2. The UN children’s agency UNICEF has also been in touch with Russian officials about the children but has not yet received feedback on their offer to facilitate reunification processes.
3. The International Criminal Court increased pressure on Russia when it issued arrest warrants on March 17 for Lvova-Belova and Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing them of abducting children from Ukraine.