At least two Ukrainian children abducted by Russian forces were forcibly transferred to a camp in North Korea, legal expert Kateryna Rashevska told a U.S. Senate subcommittee on Dec. 3.
Data most often cited in diplomatic communication indicates at least 20,000 stolen Ukrainian children. However, the real number is likely much higher, as it remains impossible to identify every case since 2014. The aggressor intends not only to “russify” these children, but to train them as a human resource for future wars.
Exploitation in and Beyond Russia
According to Rashevska, camps are also located on Ukraine’s occupied territories, in Belarus, and, as previously mentioned, in North Korea. Her organization documented 165 re-education facilities.
Three weeks ago, during a conversation with U.S. senators, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Ukrainian side had identified around 400 locations in Russia where abducted Ukrainian children are being held.
This growing infrastructure demonstrates that the axis of authoritarian states is working jointly to prepare for future expansion. In the Songdowon camp in North Korea, children were taught to “destroy Japanese soldiers” and met with North Korean military personnel involved in the 1968-armed seizure of a U.S. ship.
Compliance with such trainings in Russia or beyond is not voluntary. Children who refuse are bullied, and some are even sent to psychiatric institutions.
Russia not only prepares Ukrainian children for future fighting, but already exploits them in the military sector before they turn 18. In September, Yale University published a report on Russia’s use of abducted Ukrainian children. Researchers claim Russia is forcing them to assemble drones and manufacture other military equipment. This is another war crime committed by Russia.
Resolution and Attempts at Return
The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution demanding that the Russian Federation immediately return Ukrainian children. Predictably, Russia and Belarus voted against it, once again demonstrating their unwillingness to comply voluntarily.
The peace plan includes the complete return of all abducted children and the inclusion of this issue in future negotiations to end the war.
After the Trump–Putin meeting in Alaska, U.S. First Lady Melania Trump became involved in efforts to return stolen Ukrainian children, personally passing a letter to Putin. As a result, eight children were returned to their families, but no systemic progress followed.
Conclusion
Since the start of the full-scale war, Ukraine has managed to return more than 1,600 children. Every life and every family story matters. Yet this number accounts for only about one in twenty of all known cases.
Russia does not seek peace — neither now nor in the future. Continued occupation will mean more abducted Ukrainian children, indoctrinated and prepared to fight not only against the West, but against democracies worldwide.
