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Since the onset of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, 13,338 children have been left without parental care, with 1,759 of them becoming orphans «because of the hostilities».
This was reported by Vasyl Lutsyk, the head of the National Social Service of Ukraine, in an interview with Radio Liberty.
Lutsyk emphasized the distinction between children who became orphans during the war and those who became orphans due to hostilities. Of the 13,338 children without parental care, only 1,759 are categorized as orphans resulting from hostilities. Other reasons include parents being in captivity (12 children) or residing in the occupied territory (685 children). Lutsyk expressed hope that these children will reunite with their families when parents return.
The top priority of the National Social Service of Ukraine is to place these children in family-based care, such as foster families, adoptive families, and family-type orphanages. Additionally, a significant number of these children are placed under the care of relatives, with the state providing financial support to these families.