Alongside representatives of law enforcement agencies, heads of local communities, and structural units of the Donetsk Regional State Administration, they addressed the most pressing issue for the region — the mandatory evacuation, including enforced evacuation, of families with children from frontline areas.
In particular, they discussed the mechanism for evacuating children without the consent of their parents or other legal representatives. This mechanism is предусмотрен by draft law No. 12353, adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on February 10. The primary purpose of the law is to preserve the lives and health of children who remain in frontline communities and are under constant threat of shelling.
“I emphasized that community leaders, together with volunteers and representatives of the evacuation groups ‘White Angel’ and ‘Phoenix,’ must intensify their work with families. Our goal is to preserve families without exposing children to danger. For our part, we are doing everything possible, providing evacuated families with children all necessary assistance and support.
The introduction of mandatory evacuation of children, including without parental or legal guardian consent, is a forced but necessary decision under martial law. In these circumstances, the state has no grounds for delay in matters concerning children’s safety. In the context of armed aggression, children cannot objectively assess the level of danger, and therefore responsibility for their protection rests with adults and the state.
I have instructed that reception facilities be prepared for children whose parents deliberately refuse evacuation. The children of Donetsk region have the right to be safe, and we must create proper conditions for them.
Our children are our future. Therefore, we will do everything to protect them.
I am keeping this issue under personal control,” Vadym Filashkin emphasized.