Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha: "Russian invaders have stolen five dozen civilian people, mostly elderly women, from a tiny Ukrainian village Hrabovske r ight across the state border in the Sumy region.

With such medieval raids, Putin’s Russia shows it is no different from terrorist groups like ISIS, Boko Haram, or Hamas. 

We demand our civilian hostages to be returned home. These fifty people and thousands of other civilians forcibly deported to Russia, including Ukrainian children. 

We urge all states and international organizations to join us in demanding the release of innocent civilian people stolen from their homes.

This particular war crime is already being prosecuted in Ukraine and should receive an appropriate response at the international level as well. 

It also underscores the permanent threat of living next to Russia. That is why Ukraine needs a real, lasting peace. Living next to terrorists requires strength and robust security guarantees."