Ukrainian Orphans Defy Repatriation Orders to Remain in Europe

More than 1,500 Ukrainian social orphans evacuated to Europe following the 2022 Russian invasion remain abroad, defying repatriation orders issued by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. The Ukrainian government views the absence of these children as a demographic crisis and a threat to national heritage, arguing that foreign adoption—which sometimes bypasses international laws—undermines the nation's future.

In Italy, some children and their foster parents have successfully petitioned Italian courts to overrule repatriation orders. These individuals cite poverty, lack of infrastructure, and safety concerns in Ukraine, while older teenagers fear military conscription. Legal expert Kateryna Rashevska characterized the failure of these children to return as a threat to the country's future heritage.

Reports from children who were repatriated describe restrictive environments in adoptive homes and poor living conditions within Ukrainian institutions. Diego Mosca, a supervisor for orphans in Rota d’Imagna, criticized the psychological trauma caused by the ongoing repatriation dispute. Yuliya Donnichenko, a Ukrainian national in Italy, has overseen the evacuations and repatriations for approximately 100 of the orphans.