Maria Lvova-Belova, the Commissioner for the Rights of the Child in Russia, announced via her telegraph channel that Masha Moskaleva has been reunited with her mother, Olga Sitchikhina. The girl was returned to her mother after being in a rehabilitation center in the city of Efremov. This development marks a significant moment in the family’s case, highlighting ongoing efforts to resolve custody and care within the framework of the Russian social protection system.
According to Lvova-Belova, Olga has already taken custody of Masha from the social rehabilitation center, where the child had been placed at her mother’s request. The permanent placement contract with the institution was terminated, allowing Olga to assume full parental responsibility. Lvova-Belova emphasized that Olga’s parental rights are not restricted, and the move simply followed the termination of the temporary placement agreement. The official noted that a formal handover had taken place and explained that the contractual arrangement had concluded as part of the family’s return to normal life at home. The Commissioner added that she personally met with Olga Sitchikhina to discuss the family’s current situation and to ensure that all parties are supported in the transition back to a stable home environment.
In related remarks, Lvova-Belova referred to broader concerns about the Moskalev case. She indicated that the plan at hand is to ensure that the daughter of Andrei Moskalev, who was sentenced in connection with discrediting the Russian armed forces, is not kept in a social institution unnecessarily. Instead, the aim is to arrange living arrangements with relatives when possible, subject to appropriate oversight and safeguards. This approach reflects a preference for keeping children within family networks while maintaining necessary protective measures and monitoring to safeguard the child’s welfare.
The official also commented on media portrayals of the situation, asserting that the real circumstances differ from pictures presented by some media outlets and human rights groups. Lvova-Belova suggested that there are parallel legal processes underway, including criminal and civil actions, but stressed that these matters are not directly intertwined with the family’s everyday care decisions and do not automatically dictate the child’s living arrangements. The overarching message conveyed by the Commissioner is that the focus remains on the child’s safety and well-being, with a careful, case-by-case assessment guiding any future placements or family-based solutions. The transparency of this process was a recurring theme in her statements, as authorities work to align public understanding with the actual legal and social protection steps being taken on the ground.