Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The thousands of files have already been transferred to Ukrainian authorities, and even though the files are still being investigated, a grim pattern has already emerged.
The thousands of files have already been transferred to Ukrainian authorities, and even though the files are still being investigated, a grim pattern has already emerged.
Ukrainian Intelligence Hacks Russian Servers
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, known as HUR, has successfully breached servers used by Russia’s occupation authorities in Crimea and uncovered disturbing evidence of the mass abduction of Ukrainian children.
Evidence of Systematic Child Deportations
Files obtained from the hack detail the organized deportation of Ukrainian children from territories under Russian control, including Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk.
The documents confirm long-held suspicions of a widespread and coordinated campaign.
Personal Data and Guardianship Fraud Uncovered
Among the thousands of retrieved files were personal profiles of abducted children, falsified guardianship paperwork assigning Russian citizens as caretakers, and relocation addresses—all pointing to illegal efforts to erase the children’s Ukrainian identities.
Children Dispersed Across Russian-Controlled Territories
The records also reveal that many of these children were resettled across various Russian-held regions, further complicating efforts to track and return them.
These relocations are seen as a calculated move to sever ties between the children and their homeland.
Key Evidence for Criminal Investigations
HUR spokesperson Andrii Yusov confirmed that the information has been passed to Ukrainian law enforcement and international partners.
The data will bolster war crimes investigations and aid in the mission to bring the abducted children back home.
Thousands of Victims, Few Returns
As of now, Ukraine’s official “Children of War” database confirms that 19,546 children have been forcibly taken since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Only 1,468 have made it back to Ukrainian soil—a heartbreaking gap.
True Numbers Likely Much Higher
Ukrainian officials warn that the real number of abducted children could be far greater.
Estimates range from 150,000 to as high as 300,000, according to Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets and Children’s Ombudsman Daria Herasymchuk.
International Arrest Warrants Issued
In March 2023, the International Criminal Court took decisive action, issuing arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children’s Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova.
Both are accused of personally overseeing the illegal transfers of Ukrainian children.
A Sticking Point in Peace Talks
The issue of abducted children has remained a major obstacle in Ukraine’s negotiations with Russia.
President Volodymyr Zelensky recounted how, during peace talks in Istanbul, Russian delegates mocked Ukraine’s appeals, calling them a “show for childless European old ladies.”
No Peace Without the Children’s Return
Ukraine has made it clear: the return of every abducted child is a non-negotiable condition in any future peace agreement.
As war crimes investigations progress, Kyiv continues to push for justice and the safe return of its youngest citizens.
