Ukrainian Children — Stolen by Russia | DW Documentary

Since the start of the war, Russia has abducted many thousands of Ukrainian children. Some were told they were being sent on vacation, only to end up in Russia. Many of the children have yet to return.

The scale of abductions only became clear when the Ukrainian army began liberating Russian-occupied areas. Large numbers of children had apparently disappeared, victims of a criminal plan devised by Moscow. Russian forces had systematically scoured orphanages, maternity wards and children's hospitals, transferring Ukrainian children to Russia. Ukrainian families had also been instructed to send their children to supposed Russian vacation camps.

Once removed from Ukraine, aid organizations say, the children found themselves in an alien environment, separated from their language, culture, customs and religion. The children were housed in hospitals, children’s homes or foster families. They were assigned Russian passports, and many were forcibly adopted into Russian families. In the meantime, the International Criminal Court in The Hague has issued arrest warrants against President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, his commissioner for children's rights. Maria Lvova-Belova. They stand accused of arranging for the forcible deportation and transfer of children from Ukraine to Russia.

From Kyiv to Kherson, to Odesa and into Russia itself: this report follows the forcible transfer and ‘russification’ of Ukrainian children and youth. The investigation of this war crime includes testimony from affected families and children, as well as Ukrainian social workers and officials.

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[Tetiana]

Heartbreaking. Russia must pay for it.

[aliancemd]

Takes almost 1 year to bring back 1 kid, just a few kids every year, when the children kidnapped now are approaching 1 million(700K in July 2023, now probably over 1 million) - it's obviously a hopeless situation. This is going to have huge consequences on the population of Ukraine, missing a few generations in 5-20 years.

[giselealmeidavellozakildai]

I feel so sorry for these children. Imagine the trauma! Russia did this in WWII. they stole children from Poland, took them to Siberia and when they got tired of it shipped 500 of them to South Africa.
Russia is a communist state, Putin is an ex KGB agent. He still operates in the same way.
Russia is a war criminal. Disgraceful and cruel😢

[k]

Sad. I am glad that the Ukrainian children returned home. I hope they survive and have the opportunity for a brighter future. Victory for Ukraine.

[sharmishthach]

Those doctors and nurses are true heroes❤.
My heart goes out to Ukraine. I wish Russians end the war soon.

[JaneSoole]

How ever did you get them back and there are so many many more to save. How can we help from England?

[snrff]

so upsetting - but i'm grateful that you made this video 💙💛

[sueprator]

Can this despicable monster do anything else to make him the most despised Gangster in the whole World right now? Beyond evil.

[olenalinska]

😢 i hope all the children will be back to Ukraine and their families... please pray!

[Kaprwithos]

Russian troll-bots trying to distract the issue in the comments 😂

[ashleypearson]

Please please help these children!!! They need to be with their parents 😢😢😢🥺🥺

[gunm]

Human trafficking, indoctrination...horrible. I can't imagine how far gone you have to be as a solider/officer of the FSB to just do these things and be able to sleep at night.

[submarinar]

🇺🇦🇺🇦 Europe and other countries, Give all the help to Ukraine to defeat putin!!! He is the worst evil and criminal!

[Godsplanever]

DW, If your affirmation that these children were stolen by Russia is reasonable, how did they manage to come back ? What rescue operation was put in place to snatch them from their captors?

[pmj]

interesting, i’m in Thailand at a popular tourism area below Bangkok. But it doesn’t look like Thailand but Little Russia as most are Russian Tourists with children. Either these guys are evading the Russian invasion of Ukraine dodging military service or more importantly, I wonder how many Ukraine children have been kidnapped and relocated here with new Russian parents.

[almall]

It is true and sad that it is very hard to bring them back.
Evil people!

[shadowman]

Some people's situations are hopeless without a war, but nobody gives a shit.

[detlefschnepel]

I didn’t get her name. That Putin woman responsible for abductions will soon be adopted also. By ICJ jail guards

[thegodfatherroyals]

It's almost easy to legalise kidnapping in Russia as people are dying mysteriously so it's an alternative for putin to seek for any possible means to raise their population.

[SonoraOndaLatinaOficial]

Why did you remove the video about Ecuador?