Ukrainian children as spoils of war for Russia
A shocking new report shows that Russia has created an extensive network of camps where thousands of Ukrainian children are being held. Most of these children have been transferred from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia either by deceit or force, often without their relatives being informed.
The forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia, which human rights defenders view as a war crime and a crime against humanity, and a clear violation of international conventions on the rights of children and the treatment of civilians during wartime, is an issue that Ukrainian officials have continuously protested against since the early days of Russia’s large-scale military invasion.
According to data from the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office, about eight thousand Ukrainian children have been transferred to Russia during the days of war. Only 128 children have managed to return to their families.
A new report published under the supervision of Yale University confirms the extensive dimensions of the forced transfer of Ukrainian children to camps in Russia and annexed Crimea.