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An new investigation has uncovered that the Russian government is managing a vast network of over 200 centers used for the re-education, cultural assimilation, and military training of Ukrainian children.

Extent and Type of Facilities

These locations are distributed across Russian territory and Russian-controlled Ukrainian areas, and include not only camps but also schools, military bases, clinics, churches, and higher education institutes.

Since the start of the large-scale war in the spring of 2022, thousands of children have been taken to these sites and subjected to activities that include patriotic propaganda, combat drills, paratrooper training, and even classes on how to assemble drones for the military.

Major Findings

This investigation documented that at least one hundred thirty of the camps have been engaged in indoctrination programs, which involve systematic efforts to implant pro-Kremlin viewpoints in the youth.

Moreover, at least 39 of the sites run militarization training, where participants as starting from 8 years old undergo firearms instruction, explosives handling, and tactical medicine courses.

“We are witnessing is an unprecedented network of facilities deliberately established and enlarged since 2014 to transform Ukrainian children into Russians,” stated a researcher. “This represents a pipeline for Ukraine’s children to be brainwashed and turned into combatants.”

Expansion and Evidence

Nearly a quarter of the documented sites display evidence of expansion, indicating that Russian authorities is making plans to host more children. At least two more camps are currently under construction.

Investigators gathered publicly available evidence – frequently from Russia’s own publications – and corroborated it with detailed satellite imagery, confirming the involvement of children using at least 5 separate references.

No fewer than half of the locations listed were explicitly managed by the Russian government, as supported by incorporation documents.

International Implications

This report is the first to expose the true extent of Russia’s deportation network, providing weight to allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The report states that the organized deportation and militarization of minors violates the Geneva conventions and the United Nations child protection standards.

Back in 2023, the ICC launched an inquiry into President Putin and children’s rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova over the reported abduction and deportation of Ukrainian youth. The Kremlin rejects any illegal activity, claiming that minors have only been moved for their protection and insisting that none has been forcibly taken.

A Ukraine’s representative commented that the findings “provides undeniable proof refuting Russian claims and misinformation” and that it “demands action”.