According to the available information, the program "Train of Hope –Krym” is currently undergoing in Crimea under the auspices of Russian NGOs. The objective of this program is adoption of the orphaned children, and the ones deprived of parental care, which are the citizens of Ukraine and are residing in Crimea, by the citizens of the Russian Federation.

 Article 21 of the UN Convention on the Child’s Rights cares for the States - parties that recognize or permit the system of adoption should ensure that the adoption of a child is carried out only by permission of the competent authority.

As specified by the Article 283 of the Family Code of Ukraine, adoption of a child who is a citizen of Ukraine by the foreign nationals should take place with the consent of the central executive body that implements the state policy in the field of adoption and children's rights (in Ukraine that authority is the Ministry of Social Policy).

The Ukrainian side is compelled to state the resolute and categorical protest related to the specified actions with respect to mentioned categories of children - citizens of Ukraine, which are being carried out in violation of the international law and current legislation of Ukraine, by not complying with the existent procedures in this field, but also draws attention to the fact that such adoptions are illegal and, therefore, have no legal meaning.

Ukrainian side demands from the Russian side to undertake all necessary measures in accordance to its obligations under international laws to prevent illegal adoptions of the citizens of Ukraine by foreigners and consequent illicit relocation of the adopted from the territory of Ukraine.

We call upon the international community to condemn the illegal actions of the Russian Federation, intended at the systematic violation of the rights and freedoms of children.