Russia continues to violate the rights of children in the occupied territories of Ukraine. Specifically, the terrorist state has deported 1,000 Ukrainian children from Kherson region to Kabardino-Balkaria under the guise of “rehabilitation.” This was reported by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Dmytro Lubinets, who noted that such actions are a gross violation of children’s rights and international norms.
According to Lubinets, since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, thousands of Ukrainian children aged 6.5 to 16 have been systematically taken thousands of kilometers from home. Overall, the Ukrainian authorities are aware of over 20,000 children deported from the occupied territories to Russia, but it is difficult to count them accurately due to the occupation of part of Ukraine’s territory. The occupiers try to impose Russian culture and traditions on them, erasing their national identity.
Sending Children from Luhansk Region to Military Camps
The Russians continue to use children for their military-political purposes, re-educating them according to Russian propaganda narratives, militarizing, Russifying, and turning them against Ukraine. Children from the occupied Bilovodsk in Luhansk region are sent to the “Young Army Cadets” military-patriotic camp in the Novosibirsk region. Schoolchildren aged 11 to 17 stay in a tent camp, where combat officers teach them tactical, firearms, and drill training. Officially, this is called “patronage assistance” to the so-called “LNR.”
Propaganda Festivals in the Occupied Territories
In the temporarily occupied territories, Russia organizes propaganda events for the assimilation of youth and the erasure of national identity. For instance, in the temporarily occupied Crimea, a festival called “Tavrida.ART” took place, which the Kremlin presents as a multinational arts festival.
These events exemplify how the terrorist state attempts to create an illusion of support among the youth and demonstrate “harmony” of different cultures under its influence. In reality, the issue of national minorities in Russia is often associated with oppression and assimilation. At “Tavrida.ART,” the aggressor once again aimed to present its version of cultural unity, erasing differences and national identity, turning young people into Russianized lackeys.
Another propaganda event called “Yug Molodoy” was held in Berdyansk. This forum gathered young supporters of the Putin regime, offering them career growth prospects and successful education. The event openly supports Russian ideas and aims to foster loyalty to the current government among the youth, using methods reminiscent of totalitarian practices.
The International Community Must Support Ukraine to Stop Russia’s Crimes Against Children
The international community must support Ukraine to stop Russia’s crimes against children. The deportation of children from occupied territories, the organization of propaganda events for them, and sending them to military-patriotic camps are gross violations of children’s rights and international human rights norms. All possible measures must be taken to protect Ukrainian children from assimilation and violence by the aggressor country.
