Investigative Report Reveals 210 Facilities for Deported Ukrainian Children in Russia

A recent investigation by the Yale School of Public Health’s Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) has uncovered a troubling network of at least 210 facilities in Russia and occupied Ukrainian territories, where children forcibly deported from Ukraine are subjected to a system of “re-education” and militarisation. Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, thousands of Ukrainian children have been taken from their communities and placed in various institutions across the region.

The HRL’s findings indicate that the actual number of facilities may be even greater than documented. The report highlights that Russia appears to be operating a large-scale system aimed at Russifying Ukrainian children, including military training and long-term dormitory accommodations. According to the investigation, the facilities range from summer camps and sanatoriums to military bases and even a monastery.

These children include those taken from state institutions, as well as those separated from their families in frontline areas. Some children were directly taken from their parents by officials in filtration camps established in Mariupol in early spring 2022. The HRL’s research reflects a grim reality for many of these children, who face indefinite detention in the Russian system.

Extent of the Network and Number of Deportations

The investigation documents a network that spans from the temporarily occupied territories in Ukraine to diverse locations across Russia, including urban universities and remote camps in Siberia. The HRL has confirmed that more than half of the identified facilities are directly managed by the Russian government.

According to Ukraine, over 19,500 children have been verified as deported since the invasion began, with detailed information collected about their origins and current locations in Russia. However, estimates suggest that the true number could be as high as 35,000. Russian Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova claimed that Russia had “accepted” around 700,000 Ukrainian children between February 2022 and July 2023, a figure that Ukraine disputes.

Efforts to repatriate these children have been ongoing, with Ukraine managing to return 1,605 children through mediation by third-party states, including Qatar, South Africa, and the Vatican. Direct negotiations in Istanbul in June included a list of forcefully deported children, emphasizing Ukraine’s commitment to their return as a crucial aspect of potential peace talks.

International Response and Legal Actions

The situation has drawn significant international attention, culminating in a March 2023 arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova for their alleged involvement in the unlawful deportation of children from occupied Ukrainian territories. This legal action highlights the seriousness of the accusations and the international community’s growing concern about the treatment of these children.

The ongoing efforts to secure the return of Ukrainian children remain a focal point in discussions between Kyiv and Moscow. Ukrainian delegation head Rustem Umerov stated that the return of even half the children on their list would represent a positive step towards peace. Conversely, Russian officials have dismissed Ukraine’s claims, accusing it of exploiting the situation for political gain.

As the investigation by the HRL continues to gain traction, the plight of these children underscores the broader humanitarian crisis resulting from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The findings call for urgent international attention and action to address the systematic violations of children’s rights amidst the turmoil.