TALLINN, Estonia - Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has sparked international outrage by openly attending a government-organized event welcoming Ukrainian children to his country, despite allegations of their controversial transfer from Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine. The move has further intensified calls for accountability from the international community.

Speaking at the event, President Lukashenko expressed his commitment to providing a safe and warm environment for the children, stating, "We will embrace these children, bring them to our home, keep them warm and make their childhood happier." However, Belarusian officials have not disclosed the exact number of Ukrainian children that have been brought into the country.

According to a recent study conducted by Yale University, it has been found that more than 2,400 Ukrainian children aged 6-17 have been relocated to Belarus from four regions in Ukraine that have partially fallen under Russian occupation. The Belarusian opposition, deeply concerned about the alleged involvement of Lukashenko and his officials in the illegal transfer of these children, has called for action by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Pavel Latushka, a former Belarusian culture minister turned opposition activist, has presented evidence to the ICC implicating Lukashenko in the unlawful deportation of these children. Latushka stressed that the arrival of a new group from the Russian-occupied territories underscores the urgent need for the ICC to investigate these alleged crimes. He stated, "Lukashenko, his family members, and associates, along with the Kremlin, have organized a system of transferring Ukrainian children, including orphans, from the occupied territories to Belarus, and this channel is still in operation."

In a separate development, the ICC earlier issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his children's rights commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova, accusing them of war crimes involving the unlawful deportation and transfer of children from the occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia. Moscow has vehemently denied these allegations.

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's human rights ombudsman, highlighted that the transfer of thousands of Ukrainian children to Belarus has enabled Moscow to conceal information regarding the unlawful deportation of these children. Lubinets expressed his concerns in televised remarks, emphasizing the need for international attention and action on the matter.

The controversy surrounding the transfer of Ukrainian children between Russia-controlled areas and Belarus has also impacted humanitarian organizations. The International Red Cross has recently suspended the Belarusian chapter following controversial statements made by its chief, Dzmitry Shautsou. Shautsou's remarks ignited international outrage, as he claimed that the organization was actively involved in ferrying Ukrainian children from Russian-controlled areas to Belarus for "health improvement." The move has been widely criticized and deemed as a politicized endeavor.

Belarus, known for its close alliance with Russia, has been a crucial strategic partner for Moscow since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Belarus allowed the Kremlin to use its territory for the invasion, and it has been reported that Russia has deployed tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.

As international condemnation continues to mount, there is growing pressure on Belarus and Russia to address the alleged unlawful transfer of Ukrainian children and ensure their well-being. The calls for accountability and an ICC investigation persist in order to ascertain the truth and deliver justice for the affected children.