By Virginia Allen, The Daily Signal | February 28, 2026
Russia is responsible for the largest “systematic child abduction operation” since World War II, according to European Union Ambassador to the U.S. Jovita Neliupšiene.
“This is actually a civilization erasure, when you actually try to destroy the future of your neighboring country,” Neliupšiene says.
More than 20,000 children are estimated to have been abducted from Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion four years ago, according to the ambassador. Some of the older children who were taken are now being trained to fight for the Russian army, she explains on this week’s edition of “Problematic Women.”
“They will try to start to train them as little soldiers, in a way, to go through the brainwashing,” she said.
First lady Melania Trump has become an outspoken advocate for Ukraine’s children and has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to return the abducted minors.
Neliupšiene joins the show to share the stories of Ukrainian children who have been abducted, and some who have been returned. She also explains why Russia is targeting a generation of children.
Virginia Allen is a senior news producer for The Daily Signal and host of "The Daily Signal Podcast" and "Problematic Women."
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