Paisley MP refuses to be silenced over stolen kids from Ukraine

A Renfrewshire MP says she will “not be silenced” after launching a campaign to return Ukraine’s stolen children.

- EDEL KENEALY

Johanna Baxter - who has witnessed first-hand the loss and devastation of Ukrainian families - says she will not stop campaigning for them after being sanctioned by Russia.

The MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South was recently sanctioned by Putin’s government after coauthoring the report Ukraine's Stolen Children.

Created in partnership with UK Friends of Ukraine, the report reveals how almost 20,000 children have been taken from their homes and sent to Russian controlled institutions, foster care systems, or with Russian military families. Some are even conscripted into Yunarmiya, the Russian Youth Military.

Ramping up efforts to see these children reunited with their heartbroken families, Ms Baxter said: “The abduction of Ukrainian children by Russia is one of the most heart-wrenching and indefensible crimes of this war, which the world cannot ignore.