Russia's deportations of Ukrainian children amount to crimes against humanity — UN inquiry

A U.N. investigation found on Tuesday that the deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children by Russian authorities since Moscow's invasion of the country in 2022 amounted to crimes against humanity.

Emma Farge/Reuters

March 10, 2026

Russia's deportations of Ukrainian children amount to crimes against humanity — UN inquiry

FILE PHOTO: A view of the headquarters of the Russian foreign ministry and the Moscow International Business Centre, also known as Moskva-City, from the dome of the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow, Russia October 20, 2025.

Shamil Zhumatov/Reuters

GENEVA- A U.N. investigation found on Tuesday that the deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children by Russian authorities since Moscow's invasion of the country in 2022 amounted to crimes against humanity.

"In this report, the Commission concluded that crimes against humanity and war crimes by Russian authorities have targeted children, who are among the most vulnerable victims. These crimes have irreversible consequences on their lives and their future," the U.N. report said.

The report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine studied the cases of 1,205 children from five oblasts in Ukraine and said that 80% of them have yet to return to Ukraine.

-Reporting by Emma Farge, Editing by Miranda Murray/Reuters