Key facts
- Russia has increased obstructions to the departure of Ukrainian minors from occupied territories.
- New requirements include biometric documents and Russian foreign passports for children under 14.
- Ukraine repatriated 103 children and young people in August, an increase from July.
- Young people are leaving due to fears of forced conscription into the Russian army.
- Ukraine's Justice Ministry has confirmed over 20,000 cases of deportation or forced transfer of children to Russia.
- The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova related to child abductions.
Russia has intensified its obstruction of Ukrainian children's return from occupied territories by introducing new bureaucratic requirements, according to a charity assisting in these efforts. Oleksandra Dvoretska, head of policy at Bring Kids Back UA, stated that minors now need biometric documents, and children under 14 without passports must obtain a Russian foreign passport to leave, a change from previous acceptance of documents like birth certificates.
Despite these escalating challenges, Ukraine managed to bring back 103 children and young people from Russian-occupied territories in August, a notable increase from the 50 repatriated in July. Dvoretska noted that while the number of returned children grew, the process itself has not become easier. The rise in departures is partly attributed to Ukraine's enhanced capacity to facilitate returns and an increasing number of young people seeking to leave due to the risk of forced conscription into the Russian army.
Examples highlight the severity of the situation: Viktor, 21, was forced to obtain a Russian passport after his home was raided by Russian soldiers, leading to his referral for military service. Mykola, 21, experienced militarized education and received a draft notice before managing to escape. Dvoretska also pointed out Russia's significant restrictions on higher education access in occupied areas, suggesting an intent to hasten the path from school to military service.
As of September, Ukraine's Justice Ministry has officially confirmed 20,610 cases of deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. Human rights groups estimate that hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian children remain under Russian control, including those forcibly transferred and those still in occupied territories. Ukrainian officials provide higher estimates, with Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets suggesting up to 150,000 abducted children, and Presidential Commissioner Daria Herasymchuk ranging from 200,000 to 300,000. In 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia's Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova for their involvement in state-sanctioned child abductions.