A Display of 20,000 Teddy Bears on the National Mall Highlights Ukrainian Children Allegedly Taken by Russia
An installation of 20,000 teddy bears was placed on the National Mall in Washington DC to draw attention to Ukrainian children allegedly taken by Russia during the war.
The display was organized by Razom for Ukraine and the American Coalition for Ukraine. It represents the estimated 20,000 children that Ukraine says have been sent illegally to Russia and Belarus since the war began five years ago. Organizers urged Congress to address the issue, which the United Nations has described as a crime against humanity.
Russia has denied accusations of forcibly deporting children from Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin has stated that the children were "rescued" from a war zone.
In response, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that more than 2,100 children have been returned to their families through the Bring Kids Back UA initiative. That effort has been tracing and returning Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied territories and Russia since 2023.