In a shocking development, Russian-installed occupation authorities in Ukraine’s Luhansk region have created an online “catalogue” of Ukrainian children for coerced adoption, further deepening international outrage over Russia’s treatment of Ukraine’s civilians. The database, which includes 294 Ukrainian children, allows users to search and “filter” children by age, gender, and physical traits, with some even being described by their “obedience” and “character traits,” including being “polite,” “disciplined,” and “obedient.”
What Happened
The catalogue, which has sparked condemnation worldwide, is described by the Save Ukraine organization as part of a systematic effort to abduct and deport Ukrainian children. The children listed are marked as “orphans and children left without parental care,” despite many being born in Ukrainian-held territories before Russia’s occupation and holding Ukrainian citizenship.
Mykola Kuleba, CEO of Save Ukraine, explained that the parents of some of the children were killed by Russian forces or officials, while others were simply given Russian identification documents to legitimize their abduction. This practice has escalated since Russia’s invasion in 2022, with children being abducted from areas that have been occupied since 2014, including Crimea and parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Kuleba further noted that Russian authorities initially attempted to cover up their actions by shutting down registers and erasing references to abducted children but have since abandoned these efforts, now openly displaying these children “like products in an online marketplace.”
A System of State-Sponsored Child Trafficking
The forced deportation and trafficking of Ukrainian children has been described as “state-sponsored child trafficking” by human rights groups. Save Ukraine has criticized the Russian government for “streamlining” the process, allowing a Ukrainian child to be “ordered” online, stripped of their identity, issued a Russian passport, and subjected to ideological control. Kuleba warned that the children face serious risks, including sexual exploitation, human trafficking, illegal adoptions, and even trafficking for organ harvesting.
The Scale of Forced Deportations
The Ukrainian government has verified the deportation of over 19,500 children to Russia, with only 1,350 of them having been returned, thanks to efforts by third-party states like Qatar, South Africa, and the Vatican. However, experts believe the true number of deported children is likely much higher. The Yale Humanitarian Research Lab estimates that the figure could be as high as 35,000, while Russia has suggested the number could reach as many as 700,000.
The forced deportation of Ukrainian children has been identified as one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s key objectives. Documents uncovered by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reveal Kremlin plans to remove Ukrainian children from orphanages in occupied territories under the guise of “humanitarian evacuations.”
Diplomatic Efforts for Return
Ukraine has demanded the return of the abducted children, with the return of at least half of them being seen as a potential step toward a peace deal. During negotiations in Istanbul, Ukraine handed over a list of abducted children to Russia. While Russian officials have denied the scale of the issue, stating that it is a “show” designed to “squeeze out a tear” from the international community, sources suggest that Moscow is fully aware of the location of each child on the list.
The ongoing forced deportation and trafficking of Ukrainian children by Russia remains a grave violation of international law and human rights. Ukraine, along with global advocacy groups, continues to press for the immediate return of the children, marking this issue as one of the most pressing concerns in the ongoing conflict.
This story may be updated as more information becomes available.
The post Russia’s “Catalogue” of Coerced Ukrainian Adoptions Sparks Outrage first appeared on Trusted and Verified USA News.
