Russia has transferred at least 24 children from occupied Luhansk Oblast to Russian families
Since the beginning of 2026, at least 24 children from the temporarily occupied Luhansk region have been placed in foster care or adopted by families from various regions of the Russian Federation.
This was reported by the Center for Countering Disinformation, citing a statement by the so-called “LNR” Children’s Ombudsman, Inna Shvenk.
According to her, children from the occupied Luhansk region were placed with Russian families in various regions of the country.
The Center for Countering Disinformation noted that the occupying authorities are attempting to justify such actions by citing an alleged “family-preserving approach.” At the same time, the Center emphasizes that under the guise of placing children in Russian families, Russia continues its policy of illegally transferring Ukrainian children from the occupied territories and their subsequent assimilation.
“Such statements by representatives of the occupying authorities may serve as evidence of Russia’s systematic policy regarding the illegal removal of Ukrainian children,” the Center noted.
The CPD recalled that earlier, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Putin and the Russian Federation’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, on suspicion of the illegal deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children from the occupied territories.
The Center emphasized that the transfer of Ukrainian children to Russian families constitutes a gross violation of international law.
Source: Center for Countering Disinformation.
Ukraine has already managed to return 2,126 children abducted by Russia as part of the Bring Kids Back UA initiative.
Ukraine has managed to return two children who were left without parental care in Kazakhstan and found themselves in another country. The brother and sister were evacuated from Almaty following a complex, multi-stage operation coordinated by Ukrainian services. The children are now safely at home.
