Trump administration ends program to track kidnapped Ukrainian children in Russia, lawmakers say

The decision by the U.S. State Department to terminate funding for the tracking of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia has sparked outrage among Democratic lawmakers. In a letter addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, lawmakers expressed concern over the potential deletion of a U.S. database containing crucial information about the victims.

The terminated program, led by Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab, was instrumental in tracking the mass deportation of children from Ukraine. The loss of access to satellite imagery and other vital data on approximately 30,000 abducted children has raised serious alarm bells among advocates for human rights and international law.

The letter, spearheaded by Ohio Rep. Greg Landsman, highlights the devastating consequences of the alleged deletion of the repository containing valuable information. Lawmakers are calling for the restoration of the program to aid in the rescue and repatriation of the abducted children.

The timing of the funding cut is particularly concerning, as it coincided with a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Despite mounting pressure, Putin has refused to agree to a 30-day truce in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

An anonymous source familiar with the tracking program revealed that the canceled contract led to the deletion of $26 million worth of war crimes evidence, including detailed dossiers on the abducted children. The source suggested that this move was intended to shield Putin from potential prosecution for his role in the abductions.

In addition to urging the restoration of the tracking program, lawmakers are calling for sanctions against Russian and Belarusian officials involved in the abduction of children. The letter emphasizes the need for accountability and consequences for those responsible for violating the rights of children under international law.

The termination of support for the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, which was collecting evidence to prosecute Putin and others, has further raised concerns about the lack of commitment to justice in the face of such egregious crimes.

As Ukraine continues to label the abductions as war crimes and potentially genocide, the international community must rally behind efforts to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure the safe return of the abducted children.

The implications of the U.S. State Department’s decision to end funding for tracking abducted Ukrainian children are far-reaching and demand urgent action to address the injustice and suffering endured by innocent victims caught in the crossfire of conflict.