Official statements from the Ukrainian government or international organizations monitoring the situation

Russia's Deportation and Indoctrination of 20,000 Ukrainian Children

Dec 16, 2024, 06:07 AM

Ukraine has confirmed that Russia has forcibly deported, indoctrinated, and 'Russified' approximately 20,000 Ukrainian children since the start of the war in 2022. These children are being subjected to militarized 're-education' programs in Russian-occupied territories or deported to Russia, where they are placed in foster families or Russian public institutions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Russia is proud of having stolen these children, with Russian figures claiming the number to be as high as 700,000. Despite various diplomatic efforts, only 1,032 children have been repatriated, highlighting the challenges in bringing these children back home. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) has also uncovered a case where the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) tricked 15- and 16-year-olds into espionage missions disguised as innocent quests, assisting in reconnaissance for airstrikes.