Madison, Wisconsin
On October 16, Wisconsin state legislators will introduce a historic joint resolution condemning the abduction and forced deportation of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation. The resolution was presented to lawmakers by Nova Ukraine, a leading US-based nonprofit supporting Ukraine, and Wisconsin Ukrainians Inc, a grassroots volunteer nonprofit organization.
It marks the first time such a resolution is introduced at the state level in the United States.
When: 10:30 a.m – press conference
Where: Senate Parlor, Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin
Supporting event: VR-exhibition
While a similar resolution has passed on the federal level, Wisconsin is the first state to take action. This initiative signals a growing movement across the US to recognize and respond to Russia’s war crimes against children.
Senator Andre Jacque, one of the authors of the resolution, said the state must take a stand.
“The systematic abduction and forced adoption of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation is a direct violation of international law, a moral outrage and a textbook act of genocide. Wisconsin will not stay silent in the face of such cruelty. We stand with the people of Ukraine, and we demand accountability for these crimes against humanity and justice for these children separated from their families, their cultural identity, and their country.”
“The abduction of Ukrainian children by Russia is an unconscionable act that demands our attention and action. Through this historic resolution, we reaffirm our state’s long-standing commitment to human rights and justice, demanding the safe return of these children to their families and an immediate end to this barbaric practice. Wisconsin stands united with Ukraine as a free and independent nation, condemning these atrocities and calling for lasting peace”, added Representative Daniel Knodl.
Nova Ukraine has been engaged in advocacy efforts on this issue since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The organization works with Ukrainian partners and international coalitions to raise awareness of the issue among the US audiences.
“Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Nova Ukraine has worked to ensure the world does not forget Ukraine’s stolen children. Our advocacy has ranged from policy efforts to public awareness campaigns, including billboards near major US airports bringing this urgent issue to light. These children are not statistics: they have names, families, and the right to come home,” said Dr. Igor Markov, Board Director at Nova Ukraine.
The resolution is also backed by Wisconsin Ukrainians Inc, a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit and growing diaspora community that has actively supported humanitarian aid, cultural programming, and refugee resettlement since the start of the war.
“As someone deeply involved in advocacy and community support, I believe this resolution matters. But as a mother of three, it is also deeply personal,” said the President of Wisconsin Ukrainians Inc, Halyna Salapata. “I can’t begin to imagine what it’s like to not know where your child is, to have them taken from you, silenced, renamed, and raised by the people who destroyed your home. No parent should live with that fear, and no child should grow up without knowing who they are and where they come from. That’s why we brought this resolution forward. Because silence is complicity.”
According to the Ukrainian government and international monitoring organizations, including the United Nations, more than 19,546 Ukrainian children have been abducted and forcibly transferred to Russia or Russian-occupied territories. The real number may be significantly higher. These children are often separated from their families, placed into Russian institutions, or adopted by Russian families under changed identities.
The resolution will be accompanied by the War Up Close exhibition, firstly presented in Madison. Developed by Ukrainian journalists and war correspondents, the exhibition combines immersive virtual reality experiences, large-format photographs, and documentary storytelling to show the real cost of Russia’s invasion as seen through the eyes of those living it.
Visitors walk through destroyed homes, stand inside bombed schools, and come face to face with the loss, fear, and resilience of Ukrainian civilians, including children. The exhibition is part of a broader effort to help local communities understand what Ukrainians are enduring every day and why international support, including moral clarity, matters.
Donate. Impact. Change.
We greatly value your support, and it is indeed crucial. Please consider donating monthly. Your consistent contributions are vital to sustaining our efforts and driving meaningful change over time. Your commitment will make a lasting difference, and we sincerely appreciate your consideration. Donate now or learn how you can help.
