Lithuania to Provide Rehabilitation and Psychiatric Care for Ukrainian Children Returned from Russia

Lithuania Steps Up Aid for Vulnerable Ukrainian Children

Lithuania has announced plans to provide essential rehabilitation and psychiatric services to Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported to Russia and have since been returned to Ukraine. This humanitarian initiative aims to address the severe physical and psychological trauma endured by these children, with the first groups expected to arrive in Lithuania this autumn.

According to Skirmantas Krunkaitis, an advisor to the Lithuanian Minister of Health, the program is already in its 'technical phase,' with discussions underway regarding the logistics of transporting the children to Lithuania.

Comprehensive Medical and Psychological Support

The services offered will be comprehensive, focusing on both physical and mental well-being. Children will receive treatment at specialized medical rehabilitation facilities. The rehabilitation will include motor or respiratory rehabilitation, depending on individual medical needs.

Crucially, psychiatric care will be a core component of the assistance, designed to mitigate the profound effects of their forced deportation. The minors will travel to Lithuania accompanied by their parents, guardians, or other designated accompanying persons, with their accommodation and meals also covered by the program.

Program Scope and Funding

Lithuania plans to accept approximately 15 to 20 children per month, aiming to assist around 150 children annually. The estimated annual cost for providing these services, including support for accompanying individuals, is approximately €400,000. For 2025, these expenses are expected to be covered through borrowed funds, with future funding potentially sourced from the European Union or other international partners in 2026.

This assistance follows a formal request from Kyiv, highlighting the collaborative effort between the two nations.

Context of Forced Deportation

The initiative comes amidst ongoing international concern over the forced deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia. Ukrainian authorities estimate that more than 19,500 children have been forcibly transferred to Russia since the full-scale invasion began, with only a small fraction having been returned. The International Criminal Court in The Hague has issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia's Commissioner for Children's Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, in connection with these deportations. Lithuania is also an active member of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, an initiative led by Canada and Ukraine, which seeks to coordinate efforts for the recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration of these children.