ZMINA’s Onysiia Syniuk joins the discussion in New York on the deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia

With the support of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, ZMINA’s Head of Research Department Onysiia Syniuk participated as a speaker in a discussion in New York on the international law implications of the abduction of Ukrainian children during Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

In her remarks, Syniuk emphasized that the forcible transfer of Ukrainian children did not begin on February 24, 2022. Such practices have been ongoing since Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territories in 2014.

She stressed that documenting the number of abducted children is fundamental, yet extremely challenging due to the lack of access to occupied territories and Russia itself. According to Ukraine’s National Information Bureau, at least 19,546 children have been recorded as forcibly transferred or deported, though this figure reflects only confirmed cases. At the same time, Russian officials have publicly cited a much higher number of around 744,000, while refusing to share verified information with Ukraine or international organizations.

The discussion highlighted that deportation is not an isolated act, but part of a broader system aimed at erasing Ukrainian children’s identity. Approximately 1.6 million Ukrainian children remain in occupied territories, where they are subjected to imposed Russian citizenship, placement in state custody, and adoption into Russian families. Militarization of children is growing through both formal and informal education. This includes exposure to propaganda, meetings with participants of the so-called “special military operation,” cadet programs, militarized youth organizations, and training involving weapons.

Participants discussed the serious violations of international humanitarian law raised by these practices and the need to develop legal approaches to protect children in armed conflict. ZMINA’s representative emphasized the need to increase pressure on Russia to disclose information about abducted children and ensure their return, strengthen international monitoring mechanisms in occupied territories and Russia, and support accountability efforts, including the work of the International Criminal Court, as well as expanding engagement with the international Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.