Organized by Razom for Ukraine and the American Coalition for Ukraine, an installation on the National Mall, near the Capitol, featured 20,000 teddy bears attached to a fence to symbolize Ukrainian children deported or forcibly transferred to Russia since the 2022 invasion. The initiative highlights the scale of the phenomenon. Ukrainian authorities, supported by estimates verified by the United Nations, cite more than 19,000 minors affected and call for increased international mobilization, including sanctions and enhanced efforts to organize their return. Members of parliament, activists, and Ukraine's ambassador, Oksana Markarova, attended the event, noting that the war continues to affect civilians, particularly children separated from their families in occupied areas. Speakers emphasized that the installation illustrates the human cost of the conflict, with some children subjected to assimilation policies. According to Ukrainian authorities, more than 2,100 children have been repatriated since 2023 through a national initiative led by mediator Dmytro Lubinets. However, organizations present at the site believe that many more remain in Russia or occupied territories, facing legal and logistical obstacles. US officials, including Paul Tonko and Jamie Raskin, have called for stronger sanctions. Diplomats added that this facility underscores the persistence of the problem, despite mediation efforts, including exchanges facilitated by Qatar, and monitoring by the International Criminal Court.
