A damning new investigation has uncovered a systematic and covert operation, allegedly orchestrated by Russia with the direct support of Belarus, to illegally deport thousands of Ukrainian children from occupied territories. The report details a chilling programme of political re-education and military-style training, prompting urgent calls for international action.
The findings, compiled by a consortium of independent investigators, reveal that at least 2,442 children, including those with disabilities or from state care, have been forcibly transported to Belarus. The operation is said to be personally backed by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, implicating Minsk directly in a potential war crime.
The Covert Transport Network
The report meticulously traces the route these children are forced to take. They are initially moved from Ukrainian cities like Kherson and Mariupol to Russian-controlled cities such as Donetsk and Moscow. From there, they are transported into Belarus, often via the ‘Railways of Friendship’ programme—a scheme purportedly for humanitarian aid that is now accused of facilitating these transfers.
Belarusian state-owned companies and organisations tied to the authoritarian regime, including the notorious Belaya Rus party and the Belarusian Red Cross, are identified as key logistical and financial operators in this scheme.
From 'Recovery' to Indoctrination
While officially labelled as ‘recovery holidays’, the investigation paints a far more sinister picture. Children are reportedly subjected to intense pro-Russian propaganda and military-patriotic education. Activities are said to include:
- Training with military veterans.
- Visits to Belarusian state security agencies.
- Lessons promoting a unified ‘Russian world’ ideology.
The report states that the true goal is the ‘Russification’ of a generation of Ukrainian youth, severing their ties to their homeland and identity.
International Response and Legal Reckoning
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has already issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over similar allegations of illegal child deportation. This new evidence, which directly implicates Belarus, is expected to intensify legal and diplomatic pressure on both regimes.
Ukraine’s prosecutor general is investigating the allegations, which could lead to further charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The report serves as a crucial piece of evidence for international courts and bodies seeking to hold the perpetrators accountable.
