Amid ongoing tensions from the Russia-Ukraine war, the State Department halted funding to track thousands of Ukrainian children who have been taken to Russia or Russian-occupied territories, stirring alarm among U.S. lawmakers about potential data deletion.
### U.S. Halts Child Abduction Tracking Amid Ukraine Conflict: Lawmakers Raise Alarm
### U.S. Halts Child Abduction Tracking Amid Ukraine Conflict: Lawmakers Raise Alarm
The Trump administration has ceased efforts to track Ukrainian children allegedly abducted by Russia, prompting concern from U.S. lawmakers regarding the potential loss of crucial data.
The Biden administration received a letter drafted by Representative Greg Landsman, a Democrat from Ohio, addressing the situation wherein funding for monitoring abducted children was abruptly curtailed following an executive order from President Trump in January 2025. Established collaborations with the Yale School of Public Health Humanitarian Research Lab were notably affected, resulting in what lawmakers fear could be the erasure of critical evidence regarding the abduction of children.
Yale’s extensive work on compiling data about these children up until the funding freeze was supported by a substantial $26 million from Congress, earmarked for investigative efforts into war crimes committed in Ukraine. The efforts were essential not only for raising awareness but also intended to coordinate with Europol and Ukrainian authorities to facilitate the safe return of the abducted children.
The lawmakers are seeking clarity from Secretary of State Marco Rubio on whether or not vital information in a repository has been deleted and described such potential loss as carrying “devastating consequences.” As the conflict continues, questions remain about the future of these children and the effectiveness of U.S. humanitarian efforts.
Yale’s extensive work on compiling data about these children up until the funding freeze was supported by a substantial $26 million from Congress, earmarked for investigative efforts into war crimes committed in Ukraine. The efforts were essential not only for raising awareness but also intended to coordinate with Europol and Ukrainian authorities to facilitate the safe return of the abducted children.
The lawmakers are seeking clarity from Secretary of State Marco Rubio on whether or not vital information in a repository has been deleted and described such potential loss as carrying “devastating consequences.” As the conflict continues, questions remain about the future of these children and the effectiveness of U.S. humanitarian efforts.
