In cooperation with their German counterparts, Ukrainian law enforcement officers have managed to locate 161 Ukrainian children abducted by Russia within the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany.
This was announced by the Head of the National Police of Ukraine, Ivan Vyhivskyi, during a meeting in Berlin with the President of the Federal Criminal Police Office of Germany, Holger Münch.
"Thanks to our cooperation with law enforcement agencies in the FRG in documenting the war crimes of the Russian Federation, namely the deportation and forced displacement of Ukrainian children, the whereabouts of 161 Ukrainian children who were sought as forcibly displaced to temporarily occupied territories or deported to the Russian Federation and Belarus have been determined in Germany," said Vyhivskyi.
He also addressed the issue of all war crimes committed by Russian invaders on the territory of Ukraine and documented by the National Police of Ukraine. Kyiv expects assistance from partners in bringing Russian war criminals to justice both in Ukrainian courts and in the courts of other countries, with military-political leadership appealing to the International Criminal Court and Special Tribunals.
"We are interested in joint actions with our German partners both on a bilateral basis and under the auspices of Europol," emphasized the Head of the National Police. He emphasized the fruitful cooperation with German colleagues in documenting and collecting evidence.
The parties discussed the support from European partners in entering information into the Schengen Information System (SIS) regarding Russian war criminals.
"Perhaps the law enforcement agencies of Germany will be ready to assist Ukraine in implementing these actions and entering information about these individuals into the Schengen Information System. Entering information into the SIS may further help restrict their movement and stay in the Schengen area countries, as these individuals may pose a threat to the national security of European Union countries and the Schengen area," expressed the head of the department.
He also drew attention to the hybrid warfare instrument used by Russia, such as organized crime, including "thieves in law." Russia employs it both in Ukraine and in Germany. The Head of the National Police acknowledged that the increase in the number of Ukrainian citizens in Germany has led to an increase in instances of individual participation in illegal activities, including illegal migrant trafficking.
"We are also interested in jointly reducing risks in this area," Vyhivskyi stated. The parties also discussed issues related to combating illegal arms trafficking, drug trafficking, organized crime, extradition of suspects in crimes, cybercrime, and more.
During the war, Germany provided nearly €15 million worth of extremely necessary equipment and materials to the National Police of Ukraine, primarily for the needs of explosive ordnance disposal and forensic units.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the European Police Congress, in which the Ukrainian delegation participates.
