Russia says two girls separated from mother by war were brought back from Ukraine with Qatar's help

Two girls have been brought back to Russia from Ukraine thanks to mediation by Qatar after being separated from their mother because of the war, Russian children's commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova said on Friday.

Qatar has also been involved in previous deals to return children to their families in Russia and Ukraine.

Lvova-Belova said the two sisters had been living with their grandparents in Ukraine while their mother was working in Russia. She said the International Committee of the Red Cross was also involved in their return.

Lvova-Belova said that altogether 17 children from 11 families had been reunited with families in Russia, and 95 children from 75 families had rejoined relatives in Ukraine and other countries.