A United Nations investigation has concluded that the deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children by Russian authorities since the 2022 invasion amounts to crimes against humanity. The report, prepared by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, states that children have been specifically targeted, causing severe and lasting harm to their lives and future. The findings will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva later this week.

The inquiry examined 1,205 cases involving children from five Ukrainian regions and found that around 80% of them have not yet returned home. Ukrainian officials estimate that more than 19,500 children have been illegally deported or forcibly displaced to Russia and Belarus, actions they say violate the Geneva Conventions.

The report says the deportations followed a widespread and systematic pattern across Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. It also cited research indicating that Russia expanded forced re-education programs for deported children. Russia denies the allegations, stating that the children were voluntarily evacuated from war zones for their safety.

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