‘Tried to erase their identities’

The locations of more than 330 abducted Ukrainian children have been identified by the country’s Foreign Intelligence Service, President Volodymyr Zelensky assured his countrymen.

At least 35,000 Ukrainian children are believed to be missing since Russia launched its invasion – kidnapped by Moscow’s troops and forced into indoctrination programs — a move that has strongman Vladimir Putin facing war crimes.

“We are providing our partners with lists of children who must be returned,” Zelensky said on X Friday. “This is a sensitive issue, with a great deal of quiet diplomatic work underway.”

Ukraine is finalizing the first such list, which will contain the names and addresses of 339 children — and the names of the Russian individuals or institutions believed to have taken them “and tried to erase their identities,” Zelensky added.

“I’ve asked our intelligence to provide data that is indisputable for the Russians,” Zelensky told reporters during a press briefing this week, according to the Kyiv Post.

“It’s crucial that those responsible face the consequences,” he added, hoping sanctions are slapped on the Kremlin.

Zelensky said the list will be ready within a week or two and shared with leaders assisting in returning the children to Ukraine.

A pair of US lawmakers, earlier this week, said they were working on holding Senate hearings on the issue. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) told The Hill they’re looking to bring Russia’s ambassador to the US, Alexander Darchiev, to testify.

“This is a real atrocity, and the American government should help to establish the record,” said Schatz.

Shocking images from Russian state television have shown young Ukrainian boys and girls assembling and firing assault rifles, all while the Russian flag and a portrait of Putin loomed in the background.

Russia even launched a twisted adoption catalog where kidnapped Ukrainian kids were sorted by age, eye and color, and number of siblings, according to the Save Ukraine charitable organization.

As of September, an estimated 1,625 of the children had been returned to Ukraine thanks to the Bring Kids Back UA initiative, according to Zelensky.

First lady Melania Trump has also emerged as a leading advocate for their safe return, recently helping reunify Ukrainian children with their families through an “open channel” with the Russian tyrant.