Russia transfers 11 children to Ukrainian families via Qatar's mediation - children's ombudsman

MOSCOW. July 17 (Interfax) - Russia has helped 11 children to reunite with their close relatives in Ukraine via Qatar's mediation, Russian Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova said.

"We're helping 11 children reunite with seven families. All situations are different. For instance, a boy lived with his mom in Russia, but he wished to move to Ukraine to his father. A mom came for a girl who lived with her father in Russia," Lvova-Belova told journalists on Thursday.

She thanked Qatar for its mediating support in the reunification process, including as concerns logistics, transport, and other expenses. She also thanked the International Committee of the Red Cross, officials from specialized agencies, and law enforcement bodies.

Since the start of the special military operation, 25 children from 17 families have reunited with their relatives in Russia, and another 112 children from 88 families have reunited with their relatives in Ukraine and in third countries with the involvement of the office of the children's rights commissioner, the office's press service said.