The evacuation of Russian children from the Syrian war zone will take place as soon as restrictions are lifted due to the coronavirus pandemic. Many more children are planned to return to their homeland than previously expected, the Commissioner for children's rights in the Russian Federation Anna Kuznetsova told RIA Novosti.
"Earlier, we reported that more than 30 children were fully prepared for evacuation, unfortunately, the situation with the quarantine has slightly shifted the timing of their return. But during the period of self-isolation, we were able to prepare more packages of documents for other children. The next evacuation will take place as soon as the quarantine measures are lifted, and we will take out more children on the next flights than we planned before the quarantine period," she said, adding that children will be taken home as soon as they receive permission to fly.
A total of 157 children have already been returned to Russia from war zones in the Middle East – 122 from Iraq and 35 from Syria.
During the last flight to SAR, Russian doctors managed to take DNA samples from more than 70 orphaned children who are located in refugee camps that are not controlled by the official authorities of Damascus.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Federation Council