Ukrainian citizen detained in Kazakhstan at Russia's request while picking up grandson – ombudsman

Ukrainian citizen Liubov Rozhanska was detained in Kazakhstan at the request of Russia, according to Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets. Ms. Rozhanska had traveled to Kazakhstan to pick up her minor grandson for a return trip to Ukraine. However, she was placed in custody due to a criminal case initiated by Russia in 2023.

In fact, she was lured to Kazakhstan by deception from Russian relatives in cooperation with the FSB. Despite this, Ms. Rozhanska entered Kazakhstan with the intention of picking up her grandson. The Russian authorities are seeking her extradition, and Lubinets urges that extradition be prevented as it poses a serious threat to her safety and fundamental rights.

He has appealed to the Ombudsman of Kazakhstan, Artur Lastayev, to prevent any extradition or forced transfer of Ms. Rozhanska to Russia. Lubinets also insisted on inspecting the conditions of her detention and the legal grounds for her deprivation of liberty. The Ombudsman emphasized that a child was used in her detention, as the boy's mother had taken him to Russia in 2021 and obtained Russian citizenship for herself and the child in 2022.

The Supreme Court of Ukraine determined Odesa as the child's place of residence in March 2025. Lubinets urged families with children in Russia or temporarily occupied territories not to attempt to resolve this issue independently and to contact official state structures of Ukraine. The Ombudsman's Office handles the return of Ukrainian children from deportation, forced displacement, and foreign countries in cases of missing documents and various legal aspects. Families should call the hotline 1678 to ensure the safe return of their children.