Ukraine’s first lady speaks out about abducted children

While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy leads his nation through war, his wife, Olena Zelenska, has emerged as a powerful advocate for Ukraine’s most vulnerable—its children. Recently, she revealed the heartbreaking reality that only 1,227 of the over 19,000 abducted Ukrainian children have been returned from Russia.

Before stepping into the global spotlight as Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska was a writer and creative force behind her husband’s comedy career. Born in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, in 1978, she met Zelenskyy in university, where he was studying law but had a passion for entertainment. Their love story wasn’t immediate—Olena was in a relationship at the time—but as they shared conversations about music, life, and humor, their bond grew.

After eight years of dating, the couple married in 2003 and welcomed their first child, Aleksandra, a year later. Their son, Kiril, was born in 2013. While Zelenskyy’s career took off with the hit TV show Servant of the People, where he ironically played a high school teacher who becomes Ukraine’s president, Olena worked as a writer for the series. Neither of them could have predicted that fiction would soon turn into reality.

Olena Zelenska’s mission as first lady

When Zelenskyy became president in 2019, Olena initially struggled with the transition but soon found her own cause—improving children’s health and school nutrition. She advocated for healthier school meals, drawing inspiration from international models, including Japan’s approach to nutrition.

However, her role took on an entirely new meaning in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine. Instead of focusing solely on domestic reforms, Olena found herself standing as a symbol of resilience, urging the world to recognize the suffering of Ukraine’s children.

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A war that changed everything

When the war began, Olena and her children went into hiding for security reasons, while Zelenskyy stayed in Kyiv. For months, they were separated, only able to speak over the phone.

Speaking with Good Morning America, she recalled, “We said goodbye to each other on the very first day. And over the next two months, we only had a chance to speak via the phone.”

Their marriage, like Ukraine itself, has endured the war’s hardships. Olena admitted that the pressures of war have put their relationship “on pause,” as has happened to many Ukrainian families. Despite the distance, she insists that their bond has only strengthened.

“It’s not a normal relationship when children cannot see their father and have to talk to him on the phone. But at least I can physically feel him next to me,” she told CNN.

Fighting for Ukraine’s stolen children

Among the many tragedies of the war, one of the most heartbreaking is the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. According to Ukraine’s government, more than 19,000 children have been taken. Many have been placed with Russian families, given new identities, and subjected to propaganda designed to erase their Ukrainian heritage.

During an interview on the Italian political show Quarta Repubblica, Olena stressed the importance of global support in fighting this crisis. She revealed that, despite international pressure, only 1,227 children have been successfully returned.

“Instead of stopping the aggressor, discussions begin about some so-called mutually beneficial dialogue. This is a distortion of reality, a blurring of morality,” she warned.

To combat this, Ukraine has launched the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, now supported by 41 countries. The goal is to create a reliable process to rescue abducted children and bring them home safely.

A symbol of strength and hope

Despite the horrors of war, Olena Zelenska refuses to give in to despair. She remains committed to her people, using her voice to demand justice and action.

“We are fighting for our people in the occupied territories. These kilometers are their homes, their jobs, their schools, their familiar streets. These people have the right to live in their country without fear. We cannot leave them in danger,” she said.

As Ukraine continues its battle for sovereignty, Olena stands beside her husband—not just as a first lady, but as a mother, an advocate, and a symbol of resilience. Her fight for Ukraine’s stolen children is just one of many ways she is shaping the nation’s future, proving that even in war, hope and determination remain unshaken.