President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi declares that a resolution has been adopted in Strasbourg recognizing the deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia as evidence of genocide. “We will continue to work for the return of all deported Ukrainian children and to punish Russia,” he emphasizes.

“Today in Strasbourg, at the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, there was an important political result. A resolution was adopted recognizing the deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia as evidence of genocide. This is the first recognition of this fact at such a high level by an international organization that unites the states of our continent. Practically speaking, this decision will significantly help our global efforts to bring Russia and its officials, including the head of the terrorist state, to account for genocide and genocidal policies against Ukraine,” Volodymyr Zelenskyi said in a message sent on Thursday evening.

“The deportation of Ukrainian children is one of the fully thought-out elements of Russia’s attempts to erase the identity of our people, to destroy the very essence of Ukrainianness. This is a deliberate crime of genocide committed by Russian officials. In this way, it should be qualified both politically and legally,” continued the President of Ukraine.

“We definitely know the data on about 20,000 children taken to different regions of the diabolical state. But there can be many more”

He noted that the first lady of Ukraine spoke specifically about the problem of children and the family in PACE.

“Our parliamentarians and diplomats did a good job. And at all levels – formally and informally, with heads of state, in the parliamentary, governmental, law enforcement, legal community, in international and interparliamentary organizations – we will continue to work for the return of all deported Ukrainian children and punish Russia. We have reliable information about almost 20,000 children who were taken out and scattered in different regions of the diabolical state. But it is obvious that this is only a part of much larger criminal actions. There may be many more such children,” said Zelensky.

He added that Europe and the world have already seen various deportations and attempts to exterminate some peoples.

“Using the example of Russia – bringing this state and its officials to justice for genocide – we must show other potential sources of the same evil that impunity will never remain. There will be sentences for genocide. Regarding all other crimes committed by Russia against Ukraine and our people,” he emphasized.

“Kalibre rockets on schools and residential buildings”

Zelenskyi said that in Mykolaiv last night, rubble was being dismantled after a rocket attack, as a result of which more than 20 people were injured and one person died.

Dozens of ordinary houses and two educational institutions were damaged by rockets. “(missiles – no) “Caliber” on schools and colleges, on residential buildings,” said the Ukrainian president.

In the evening, another rocket attack was carried out in Kostyantynivka, Donetsk region, where a school, a hospital and residential buildings were damaged.

“Unfortunately, the legal mechanism in the world takes a long time to gain momentum. But it is gaining momentum. Unfortunately, the world’s political pressure on the terrorist state, the pressure of sanctions, has not yet reached its maximum strength. But enough… But our fighters from the first day of the battle did absolutely everything possible to protect people and humanity. And even more than possible,” said Zelensky, mentioning several brigades of the Ukrainian army.

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