On June 4, the world observes the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, and in Ukraine, this day is marked as a Memorial Day for children who lost their lives as a result of the armed aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

In the heart of Ottawa, on Parliament Hill, a solemn event was held to honor the memory of 551 children whose lives were tragically cut short and to shed light on the horrifying war crimes Russia continues to commit against Ukrainian children.

A symbolic memorial.
551 names.
The silenced lives of Ukrainian children.

We extend our gratitude to Canada for its unwavering support of Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
We are especially thankful to Canada and the Canadian Parliament for the resolutions passed on April 27, 2022, September 21, 2023, and February 15, 2024, which recognized Russia's crimes in Ukraine as genocide against the Ukrainian people. These include the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. The resolutions also called on the Canadian government to use all possible means and provide necessary diplomatic and financial support to ensure the return of Ukrainian children forcibly taken to Russia.

Canada and Ukraine continue to lead the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, which now includes 37 member countries.