New research has found Russia is using a network of facilities to train and ‘reeducate’ abducted Ukrainian children.
It follows widespread reports of abductions since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Analysis by Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) shows children from Ukraine are being held in at least 210 locations across Russia and Russian-occupied Ukraine.
HRL concluded that Russia is operating “a potentially unprecedented system of large-scale re-education, military training, and dormitory facilities capable of holding tens of thousands of children”.
Report
According to the HRL, Russian officials have led forced deportation, reeducation and militarisation of children from Ukraine since at least 2014.
However, the report said these practices have “significantly expanded in scale and scope,” since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
It found Ukrainian children have been removed from areas controlled by Russia – either orphaned, separated from their parents, or forcibly removed from their families – during the recent conflict.
Researchers used high-resolution satellite imagery, public data sources, and geo-location software to uncover 210 sites where Ukrainian children are being held.
This includes military bases, religious institutions, schools, camps and orphanages.
Multiple other sites are also under investigation.
The exact number of Ukrainian children currently in Russian custody is unknown, but the report reveals, “the logistical and operational capacity committed to Russifying children taken from their home communities in Ukraine.”
Militarisation
HRL defines militarisation as “the psychological and physical conditioning of children to the technology, practices, and culture of the Russian military.”
The report identified militarisation programs in at least 39 sites. This includes weapons handling, combat drills and, in some cases, assembling drones.
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Children at these bases range from eight to 17 years old.
At least 23% of the sites being monitored by the HRL have expanded since 2022, including “two entirely new cadet schools”.
Re-education
Investigators identified re-education activities at the majority of sites —
including cultural, patriotic, or military programs that align “with pro-Russia narratives”.
The HRL has accused Russian officials of “explicitly” targeting vulnerable Ukrainian children, like orphans “and those living close to the frontline.”
The report also flagged long-term “coerced fostering and adoption” practices, where children taken from Ukraine were “presented as Russian orphans” and placed with Russian families.
International law
The report says there is strong evidence to suggest Russia’s program “of forcible deportation, transfer, coerced adoption and fostering of Ukraine’s children,” is in breach of international law.
This includes alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, and child protection violations.
The International Criminal Court issued a warrant for the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2023, but Russia does not recognise the court’s authority.
The report is calling for “concerted
international action,” to return children being held by Russia to Ukraine, and “hold perpetrators to account... to ensure these alleged crimes never occur again.“
It warned the impacts of the alleged crimes perpetuated by the Russian Government will “leave generational scars.”
A coalition of 41 countries, including Australia, has called on Russia “to fulfil its legal and moral obligation by immediately and unconditionally returning Ukrainian children.”
