Abduction of Ukrainian Children: How Russia Shapes Them into Future Russian Army Soldiers

An investigation revealed how Russia abducts Ukrainian children, erases their connection to home and citizenship, integrating them into Russian families and the boarding school system. The focus is on the story of children from the Donetsk children's home «Teremok», who were taken to Russia days before the full-scale invasion.

On February 18, 2022, six days before the invasion, 37 children, including Oleg, were removed from «Teremok» in Donetsk. In total, 626 orphans were taken from the «DPR» on February 18–19, 2022. Expert Kateryna Rashevska emphasizes this was done unlawfully, without Ukraine's consent. Children were used for propaganda, forced to participate in «patriotic» events.

The children were first transported to camps in Rostov Oblast, where they were met by Russian bikers «Night Wolves», known for their proximity to Putin. In April 2022, 6-year-old Vira and other children were taken to Aprelevka, Moscow Oblast, where they were handed over to Russian foster families. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova for the unlawful deportation of children.

Vira received Russian documents and joined the patriotic organization «Orlyata Rossii». Twelve children from «Teremok» arrived at a center in Velikiye Luki, Pskov Oblast, in autumn 2022, where they were prepared for adoption. Seven-year-old Oleg, declared an orphan, spent over a year in Velikiye Luki before being placed with a Russian paratrooper's family, who participated in mass killings in Bucha in 2022.