Yale Report Details Forced Adoption of Ukrainian Children

A Yale University report has exposed a Kremlin-linked program allegedly responsible for the forced relocation and Russification of 314 Ukrainian children since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The study details the use of presidential aircraft and military resources to facilitate the transfers, with many children being placed with Russian families or in re-education centers, raising significant concerns about international law and human rights violations. Notably, 166 of these children were adopted directly by Russian families, and at least 67 have been naturalized as Russian citizens. The report, supported by the U.S. State Department, adds momentum to potential new charges against President Vladimir Putin for crimes against humanity, following existing arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court. Ukrainian officials have urged Russia to acknowledge and cease these practices, while the findings are set to be presented to the United Nations Security Council for further investigation. The systematic stripping of Ukrainian identity from these children has alarmed international legal experts, who view the program as a possible war crime.