Russia Accused of Systematic Deportation and Adoption of Ukrainian Children
A Yale report reveals Kremlin-led efforts to forcibly transfer Ukrainian children for adoption and assimilation in Russia, with links to President Putin and senior officials.
- A Yale School of Public Health report identifies 314 Ukrainian children forcibly transferred to Russia since the war began, with many placed in Russian families or institutions.
- The report alleges direct involvement of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his children's rights commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova, in the program, with both facing ICC arrest warrants for war crimes.
- Russian military aircraft and government resources were reportedly used to transport children from occupied Ukrainian territories to Russia, where they underwent 'Russification' and pro-Russian indoctrination.
- The U.S. State Department has imposed visa restrictions on five Russian officials linked to the forced deportations, calling the program a deliberate effort to erase Ukrainian identity.
- Ukraine estimates nearly 20,000 children have been taken to Russia, with ongoing efforts to locate and return them while pursuing accountability for those responsible.