Mandatory Forced Evacuation of Children: What Changes Under Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 953?
On July 15, 2026, the Government approved a new mechanism for the mandatory forced evacuation of children from areas affected by hostilities. This is an important and positive step for improving state child protection policy during the war, as it is the first comprehensive regulation of the procedure for evacuating children from areas of active and possible hostilities when parents or other legal representatives refuse to accompany them.
The document sets out a clear algorithm for cooperation between authorities, strengthens the documentation of the relevant procedures, and establishes the priority of family-based forms of temporary placement for children.
At the same time, certain provisions of the resolution require further refinement to ensure a proper balance between children’s safety and the right to family life.
Let’s take a look at the main changes below
What has changed?
For the first time, the procedure has been defined that allows a child to be evacuated even when parents or legal representatives refuse to accompany them.
Previously, there was no single mechanism, so different authorities could apply this practice differently.
Advantages
A clear action algorithm has been introduced
The resolution defines:
• who is responsible for evacuation;
• how decisions are documented;
• how temporary placement for the child is arranged;
• how the child is returned to their parents.
This makes the procedure more clear, transparent, and predictable.
More control, documentation, and accountability
The following are now required:
• video recording of the refusal by parents or legal representatives;
• an act of mandatory evacuation;
• entering information into the Unified Information and Analytical System “Dity” (“Children”)
Family is the priority
Following the evacuation of a child, the first options considered for their placement are:
• with the other parent or legal representatives;
• with relatives;
• with acquaintances;
• in patronage care families;
• in foster families and family-type children’s homes.
Placement in child social protection facilities is considered only when no alternatives exist.
Informing parents
In cases of mandatory forced evacuation of a child, parents receive an information note explaining where the child will temporarily stay, providing contact details of the responsible authorities and hotlines, and explaining the next steps.
Risks
The Resolution does not specify what precisely is considered parental refusal
For example, it does not address situations where people are physically unable to evacuate because of illness, care for other family members, or other objective circumstances. This leaves significant room for interpretation.
Procedural guarantees are insufficient
The resolution does not actually define how to assess individual circumstances that may affect the right to family life. In particular, this concerns objective reasons why parents were unable to accompany the child.
In such situations, it would be appropriate to establish guarantees for a comprehensive assessment of each specific life situation.
Additional risks:
• automatic application of Article 170 of the Family Code (regarding the removal of a child without deprivation of parental rights) without sufficient individual assessment;
• application of the mandatory forced evacuation of children to areas of possible hostilities without clear criteria for assessing the real level of danger.
Resolution No. 953 is a positive step for protecting children during the war. At the same time, some provisions carrying the risks mentioned above need to be improved. They may become the subject of further expert dialogue and advocacy work.
A detailed analysis of the resolution by the advocacy team of the EAST SOS Charity Foundation is available below.
As a reminder, the Coalition of Human Rights Organizations recently called on the new Government to designate ministries responsible for policies on war-affected population
