President Zelenskyy: In captivity, every day counts – not just the years

“We want true peace for Ukraine – for our land and for all our people. This is only fair. It is fair to bring home everyone torn away from their home by war. Peace must be lasting,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a traditional address to the Ukrainian nation on Nov. 3.

Dear Ukrainians!

Today I would like to address our partners on one of the fundamental elements of peace.

Ukraine always rejoices when we manage to bring our people back from Russian captivity. To bring them back home. Warriors and civilians. It is extremely difficult, but we are doing everything to make the exchanges happen.

But the hardest part isn’t bringing adults home – it’s bringing back the children. Young Ukrainians taken from their families. Kids who have been taken from our temporarily occupied territories to Russia. And whom Russia is trying to hide.

No one can say for certain today exactly how many there are, but we know there are tens of thousands.

These are both very young children and teenagers. Those who have relatives in Ukraine. And those whose relatives, tragically, were killed by Russian strikes.

Full text of the address: Office of the President of Ukraine