Russia Kidnaps 50,000 Ukrainian Children and Recruits Minors for Sabotage

The Federal Government of Russia has kidnapped nearly 50,000 Ukrainian children since the 2022 invasion, transporting them to Russia to be raised as citizens. Using filtration teams in occupied territories, the Russian state identifies children for adoption into Russian families or foster homes, a strategy intended to counter population declines following the loss of approximately one million men in the conflict. In the Donbas region, children are also used as hostages to ensure the loyalty of local residents.

Parallel to these forced relocations, Russian intelligence services have recruited vulnerable Ukrainian minors via the Telegram app to carry out arson, sabotage, and terrorist attacks. These recruits, often from impoverished backgrounds, targeted police stations, military recruitment offices, and railway relay cabinets in exchange for payments between $165 and $3,000. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has reported a surge in allegations that Russia uses children in government-controlled territories for surveillance and sabotage.

Ukrainian authorities have detained over 300 juveniles in connection with these activities, with 13 currently imprisoned, including some at a juvenile correctional colony in Kremenchuk. While Russia denies these claims and alleges that Ukrainian intelligence recruits Russian minors, Ukrainian officials maintain the recruits were driven by poverty. Deputy Justice Minister Yevhen Pikalov stated that the minors did not act out of a desire to destroy the Ukrainian state, but were motivated by financial desperation.