On October 1, 2026, Ukrainian woman Lyubov Rozhanska was detained at Astana airport while attempting to retrieve her minor grandson. The detention occurred at the request of Russia, where a criminal case against her was initiated back in 2023.
Circumstances of the Detention
Rozhanska traveled to Kazakhstan with the hope of bringing her grandson home, who had been taken to Russia by his mother, Alla Andreeva, in 2021. According to Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, the woman was effectively lured to Kazakhstan under false pretenses, with staged videos allegedly showing her grandson boarding a flight to Kazakhstan.
Family Background
The situation surrounding Rozhanska's grandson is complex and tragic. The child, who was granted Russian citizenship in 2022, remained in the Kaliningrad region with his mother. Meanwhile, the boy's father, a serviceman in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, sought to secure the child's return. In March 2025, the Supreme Court of Ukraine ruled that the child should live in Odesa.
Government Response and Potential Consequences
Currently, Rozhanska is held in a detention center, and her lawyers warn of a possible extradition to Russia. In response, the Ukrainian ombudsman has appealed to the Kazakh authorities to prevent the extradition. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also actively engaging with Kazakhstan, seeking permission to visit Rozhanska in detention.
- The detention took place on October 1, 2026.
- Rozhanska traveled to Kazakhstan to return her grandson to Ukraine.
- A criminal case against her was initiated in Russia in 2023.
- The Supreme Court of Ukraine ruled for the child's return to Odesa in March 2025.