Recent studies have uncovered a disturbing practice where Ukrainian children are being abducted by Russians and utilized as “tools” in military camps against their own country. These abducted minors are reportedly being dispatched to over 200 facilities within the domain of Vladimir Putin, where they are coerced into engaging in brutal training exercises. The children are subjected to indoctrination and exploited for forced labor during their time in these camps.
Startling satellite imagery has captured these children allegedly being compelled to construct drones and various materials for use against Ukraine. These vulnerable youngsters, some as young as eight years old, are instructed to partake in activities such as “fire and naval training skills.”
Research conducted by the Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) at Yale School of Public Health has revealed that in some camps, children are involved in competitive events like “shooting and grenade throwing.” Additionally, certain facilities require children to undergo training in “tactical medicine, drone control, and tactics.”
The HRL report, shared with the United Nations Security Council, disclosed instances where children from Donetsk were subjected to “airborne training.” This form of training has been documented at approximately 40 out of the 210 identified sites, including summer camps, a monastery, and sanatoriums, as reported by The Sun.
Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Mariana Betsa has condemned the enslavement of these children as a war crime, denouncing Russia for violating international humanitarian laws that prohibit the recruitment and exploitation of children in armed conflicts. The report highlights Russia’s egregious utilization of children, the most vulnerable victims in conflicts, in a barbaric manner.
Regrettably, such appalling actions by Russia predate the conflict, with incidents dating back to 2014. However, researchers note a significant escalation in these activities by Putin following the commencement of the war against Ukraine.
Ukrainian official Mariana expressed grave concern over the reports, stating that Russia is evidently willing to exploit Ukrainian children as a weapon against their own country and Europe at large. This tactic aligns with Russia’s broader strategy to eradicate Ukrainian identity through the Russification and militarization of Ukrainian youth, as highlighted in the report.
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