Ukrainians ready to adopt children under 6, but older ones also find families: Petro Dobromilsky, head of the State Child Services
16.01.2025
The significant demographic crisis threatening Ukraine is prompting government institutions to prioritize preserving the country’s most valuable asset—its children. While the early months of the full-scale invasion required the mass evacuation of orphanage and boarding school residents abroad, the state is now gradually bringing them back home.
One such large-scale project concluded at the end of 2024. During the initial months of the invasion, the Ruslan Shostak Charitable Foundation evacuated 3,500 orphans and their caregivers from frontline regions, including Kherson, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Chernihiv, and Dnipropetrovsk, as part of the “Childhood Without War” initiative. Upon the project’s completion, these children were returned to Ukraine.
What is the state doing to help these children adapt upon returning, and have Ukrainians become more willing to adopt during the war? Petro Dobromilsky, head of the State Child Services of Ukraine, shared his insights with UA. News.
How many orphans or children without parental care have been evacuated abroad since the start of the full-scale war?
Petro Dobromilsky: Over 2,000 Ukrainian children are currently abroad, residing in more than 15 countries, including Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Sweden. These children were evacuated as part of various institutions such as social and psychological support centers, orphanages, boarding schools, and specialized schools. The evacuations were necessary because Ukraine lacked adequate facilities when the full-scale invasion began.
We are now working to find families in Ukraine for these children and have already returned most of them. For example, the Ruslan Shostak Foundation recently concluded its project in Turkey, where about 200 children remained at the final stage. During this period, we found families for 50 of them. Once we determined that families could be found for most of the others, they were also brought back.
A reintegration program, developed in collaboration with UNICEF and the Coordination Center, was created for these children. It helps them adapt, undergo medical check-ups, and receive social support. The children have been relocated to a safe area in Zakarpattia, where we are now working to place them in families. If needed, we involve child service agencies from various regions. Our primary goal is for every returned child to grow up in a family.
Initially, the children work with psychologists and have access to an inclusive resource center. Once a family is found, they receive ongoing support, such as tailored educational programs for children with specific needs. It is crucial to ensure that these children are not returned to institutions and that adoptive parents receive proper guidance and assistance to manage their new responsibilities.
What are the biggest challenges in finding families for orphans being returned to Ukraine?
Petro Dobromilsky: The main challenge lies in the uniqueness of each case. Every child’s story and preferences must be considered, including whether they wish to live with the family seeking to adopt them.
If we had better staffing at the local level, including social workers and psychologists, and more community-level services, fewer children would end up in social institutions. We are working to enhance community-level support so families that agree to care for a child can transition into a normal, stable routine.
Are there statistics on how many children from frontline orphanages and similar institutions have been evacuated within Ukraine?
Petro Dobromilsky: While I don’t have complete information, many children have been relocated. Around 10 infant homes for children aged 0 to 4 years have been evacuated. Recently, for instance, we relocated an orphanage from Sumy region to Volyn. Evacuations continue daily as front lines shift. The process is challenging, but we must carry it out while also focusing on preventing children from entering such institutions in the first place. Unfortunately, the war complicates this goal.
How is the adoption system functioning in the third year of the war?
Petro Dobromilsky: The adoption system continues to operate even amid the war. Unlike in other countries where adoption processes were halted during wartime, ours remain active. However, intercountry adoption is prohibited; only Ukrainians can adopt Ukrainian children.
The process is relatively dynamic, and we anticipate positive outcomes for 2024. Most children eligible for adoption have found families. However, challenges remain, as 70% of prospective parents prefer children under six years old, while only 30% of available children fall into this age group. Adoption of older children aged 10, 12, or 14 is more complex but still occurs.
Has the number of families willing to adopt increased?
Petro Dobromilsky: Yes, the number of applications is growing, thanks to campaigns led by our agency, the Ministry of Social Policy, the First Lady, and other state leaders. Ukrainians have become more open to adoption and more willing to participate.
Our society needs to develop greater tolerance toward children in institutions, as the state alone cannot solve this issue. Adoption decisions ultimately rest with families. While we can create favorable conditions and implement effective legislation, the decision to share warmth and love with a child lies with families.
Can Ukraine learn from the successful adoption campaigns of other countries?
Petro Dobromilsky: I believe that soon no country will have as much experience as Ukraine in this field, given the unprecedented challenges we face. While we may lack resources, our adoption system is legally open, transparent, and relatively efficient. Balancing security, the child’s best interests and timely decision-making remains our priority, as speed is not the main factor when it comes to adoption.