Wisconsin leads the nation in condemning Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children – Nova Ukraine welcomes a significant precedent

On January 13, 2026, the Wisconsin State Assembly unanimously passed Joint Resolution 103 (AJR 110), which condemns Russia’s illegal abduction and forced transfer of Ukrainian children. The State Senate had already approved the resolution unanimously on November 18, 2025.

With approval from both chambers, Wisconsin became the first US state to pass this kind of resolution through its full legislature. Although a similar measure exists at the federal level, this marks the first state level legislative action on the issue.

Advocates see this step as an important signal of growing momentum in the United States to recognize and respond to Russia’s documented war crimes against children.

The resolution was brought before lawmakers through a partnership between Nova Ukraine, a leading US-based nonprofit supporting Ukraine, and Wisconsin Ukrainians Inc., with support from Friends of Ukraine – Madison. Together, these organizations worked with bipartisan lawmakers to ensure the issue received formal recognition at the state level.

Senator Andre Jacque, one of the authors of the resolution, emphasized why Wisconsin could not remain silent. “With today’s passage in the Assembly, both chambers of the Wisconsin Legislature have now formally condemned the actions of Vladimir Putin and the Russian Federation, and his genocidal policy of abducting Ukrainian children,” said Sen. Jacque. “This is not just child abduction. It is about cultural erasure and an attempt to rewrite history and eliminate a nation through its youngest generation, and we refuse to be silent until every Ukrainian child is reunited with their families.”

Representative Daniel Knodl also underscored the human dimension behind the vote.

“As a father and a grandfather, I cannot imagine the pain of having a child taken from their family,” he said. “With the passage of AJR 110, Wisconsin is sending a clear and unified message that the kidnapping of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation is a horrific violation of human rights. I am proud that Wisconsin will be the first state in the nation to formally condemn this inhumane practice and to stand with the children, families, and people of Ukraine.”

Nova Ukraine has supported advocacy on the issue of abducted Ukrainian children since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The organization works with Ukrainian partners and international coalitions to raise awareness among US audiences and policymakers about the systematic nature of these crimes.

“This is a question of good versus evil, and today Wisconsin made it clear where they stand,” said Aleksandr Krapivkin, Associate Director of Community Engagement at Nova Ukraine. “For our team, this result is a clear mandate that this work is important, and we will continue to advocate for the return of Ukrainian children. The world must be aware of these abductions and condemn them to protect the future of our world. We are grateful to the Wisconsin Legislature for setting a precedent as we look to other states across America to do the same.”

Wisconsin Ukrainians Inc., a growing diaspora organization that has supported humanitarian aid, cultural programming, and refugee resettlement since the beginning of the war, also played a key role in advancing the resolution.

“Today, my heart is heavy and hopeful at the same time,” said Halyna Salapata, President of Wisconsin Ukrainians Inc. “Thousands of Ukrainian parents have been robbed of a simple, sacred right. Their children were taken, their names changed, their identities erased. This resolution matters because it says clearly that these children are not forgotten. But a resolution alone cannot bring them home. Only relentless pressure, moral courage, and global action can.”

According to the Ukrainian government and international monitoring organizations, more than 19,546 Ukrainian children have been abducted and forcibly transferred to Russia or Russian-occupied territories. The actual number is believed to be significantly higher. Many of these children have been separated from their families, placed into Russian institutions, or adopted under altered identities.

By passing this resolution, Wisconsin has taken a first step at the state level. For Nova Ukraine and its partners, it is also a call to continue pressing for accountability and action until every abducted child is returned home.