Over 20,000 Ukrainian Children Deported by Kremlin – Actual Number Likely Much Higher.

Forced Removal of Ukrainian Children from Occupied Territories

According to UATV: Russia has forcibly removed roughly 20,000 Ukrainian children from occupied areas, but the true figure is believed to be far greater. Vera Yastrebova, director of the Eastern Human Rights Group, stressed that verifying these numbers is extremely difficult, and Ukraine is actively working to bring the children back.

Official records show that approximately 20,000 children have been confirmed as deported by Russia from Ukraine’s occupied regions. However, Yastrebova noted that the actual number of deported minors likely exceeds this count. She also highlighted the challenges involved in confirming information about abducted children, stating:

'Verification of children abducted by Russia is a complex issue' - Vera Yastrebova

Consequences of the Deportations

Since the start of 2026, at least 24 Ukrainian children from the Luhansk region have been illegally placed under guardianship or adopted in Russia. Yastrebova added that

'the aggressor state moves these children and does everything possible to complicate the process of proving what happened,'

This situation has raised serious concerns, and human rights advocates believe Ukraine must take immediate steps to recover the children. 'These are certainly necessary measures,' Yastrebova remarked. She also provided an example illustrating the complexity of the issue: 'I can give a specific example — the International Committee of the Red Cross.'

As a result, the problem of deporting Ukrainian children from occupied territories remains urgent, and efforts to return them to their homeland continue.

The deportation of Ukrainian children underscores the severity of the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s aggression. Human rights groups and international organizations are persistently drawing attention to this issue, demanding that Russia comply with international law and norms. For Ukraine, it is crucial not only to bring the children back but also to ensure their safety and provide proper living conditions upon their return.