The head of the National Police of Ukraine, Ivan Vyhivskyy, said that in cooperation with German colleagues, Ukrainian law enforcement officers managed to identify 161 Ukrainian children abducted by Russia in Germany, Ukrinform reports.
"Thanks to our cooperation with German law enforcement agencies in documenting the war crimes of the Russian Federation, namely the deportation and forced displacement of Ukrainian children, we have established the whereabouts in Germany of 161 Ukrainian children who were wanted as forcibly displaced to the temporarily occupied territories or deported to Russia and Belarus," Vyhivskyy informed during a meeting in Berlin with the President of the German Federal Criminal Police Office Holger Münch.
He also touched upon the issue of all war crimes committed by Russian invaders on the territory of Ukraine and documented by the National Police of Ukraine. Kyiv is counting on its partners' assistance in bringing Russian war criminals to justice both in Ukrainian courts and in courts of other countries, and the military and political leadership - in the International Criminal Court and Special Tribunals.
"We are interested in joint actions with our German partners both bilaterally and under the auspices of Europol," the head of the National Police said.
He stressed the fruitful cooperation with German colleagues in documenting and collecting evidence.
The parties discussed the support of European partners in entering information on Russian war criminals into the Schengen Information System (SIS).
"Perhaps it is the German law enforcement agencies that will be ready to assist Ukraine in implementing these actions and entering information about these individuals into the Schengen Information System. Entering information into the SIS may further help to restrict their movement and stay in the Schengen area, as these individuals may pose a threat to the national security of the European Union and the Schengen area," the head of the agency expressed hope.
He also drew attention to such a tool of hybrid warfare used by Russia as organised crime, including kingpins. Russia uses it both in Ukraine and in Germany. The Head of the National Police acknowledged that the increase in the number of Ukrainian citizens in Germany has led to an increase in the number of individuals involved in illegal activities, including illegal migrant smuggling.
"And we are interested in working together to reduce risks in this area," Vyhivskyy said.
The parties also discussed issues of combating illegal arms and drug trafficking, organised crime, extradition of suspected criminals, cybercrime, etc.
During the war, Germany provided the National Police of Ukraine alone with much-needed equipment and materials worth almost €15 million, primarily for the needs of explosives and forensic units.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the European Police Congress, in which the Ukrainian delegation is participating.