Collaborative on Global Children's Issues

War Crimes Against Ukrainian Children Are at Risk of Being Insufficiently Investigated

As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues into its third year and peace negotiations are failing, one of the most urgent issues remains the fate of the thousands of Ukrainian children who have been abducted and militarized by Russia. These crimes represent an egregious violation of international law and threaten the future of Ukraine’s youngest generation. As such, understanding, addressing, and prioritizing this issue in future peace negotiations is critical.

Forcible Deportation

The Russian government is forcibly deporting and militarizing Ukrainian children from temporarily occupied territories in Ukraine. The first step of this crime involves the illegal and forcible deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, where they are placed in “temporary accommodation centers.” While Ukraine has officially identified 19,546 cases of forcible deportations, Ukraine’s 5 AM Coalition estimates the true number could range from 260,000 to 700,000. As of June 2025, only 1,359 children have been returned. Russian authorities target both orphans and children with parents, often under the pretense of sending them to “rehabilitation” camps. Every instance of these crimes committed by the Russian authorities and their accomplices in the occupied territories must be comprehensively documented. Without meticulous records, the possibility of achieving justice, international legal accountability, and the reunification of Ukrainian children and families is severely undermined and peace negotiations will be impossible

Russia’s “Youth Army” and Militarization

The second step of these Russian crimes is forced ideological re-education, military training, and participation in paramilitary organizations such as the “Yunarmiya,” “Movement of the First,” and “Eagles of Russia.” Through these groups, children are indoctrinated with Russian patriotism and receive training in firearms, tactics, and drone operations. These actions are intended to prepare Ukrainian children to fight against their own country as members of the Russian military.

This practice constitutes a grave violation of international law. It threatens the physical and mental health of Ukrainian children, disrupts their moral and psychological state, and aims to destroy their Ukrainian identity. The return of these children, whether they were deported to the Russian Federation or held within temporarily occupied territories, must be prioritized in any negotiations to end the war.

At the core of Russia’s effort to systematically militarize Ukrainian children is Yunarmiya, or the “Youth Army”—a youth movement created by Russia’s Ministry of Defense in 2016 to boost declining enlistment numbers. With 1.3 million members and $80 million in annual state funding, the group trains children as young as six in military skills and anti-Western ideology, glorifying Russian war “heroes” and preparing children for future combat.

As Russia’s casualties in Ukraine mount, the Youth Army’s influence has grown more dangerous, particularly for Ukrainian children trapped in occupied territories. By 2021, 29,000 children in Russian-occupied Crimea and 7,500 in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions had already been recruited. Since the full-scale invasion, reports have documented forced recruitment in newly occupied areas like Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.

There are growing concerns that Russia could forcibly conscript these children to fight against their own country—a clear war crime in violation of Article 8 of the Rome Statute. This fear isn’t unfounded: Since 2022, Russia has forcibly conscripted up to 60,000 Ukrainian men, including a few thousand from occupied Donetsk and Luhansk. At least 75 of them have been killed.

Indoctrination in Camps

Beyond Yunarmiya, Russia operates so-called “educational” camps to indoctrinate children, often under the guise of therapy or “post-traumatic adaptation.” These camps are active not only inside Russia but across temporarily occupied Ukrainian regions.

A report by Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab identified facilities like the School of Future Commanders in Russian-occupied Crimea, organized by Yunarmiya, which hosted around 50 Ukrainian children. Another program, the Leader Youth Club (formerly Wagner Youth), launched in early 2023 by the Wagner mercenary group, encourages youth aged 16-25 to build drones for Russia’s military.

Additionally, Vympel summer camps, linked to Russian special forces, now operate over 100 branches across 50 Russian regions. These centers promote military training and propaganda, raising serious concerns that Russian authorities are funneling deported Ukrainian children into institutions designed to prepare them to fight in Russia’s wars.

American Partnership and Possible Contributions to the Investigation of Crimes Against Ukrainian Children

Who will continue to track and document these crimes now that U.S. support is disappearing? What war crimes against Ukrainian children most urgently require international advocacy and investigation? These questions were central to a recent webinar, “Negotiating the End of the War in Ukraine: Who is on the Children's Side?”, where I spoke about the similarities between forced deportations during the Soviet period and current practices and the critical need to document war crimes against children. A just peace will be impossible if the global community does not fully understand and attend to the forced deportation and militarization of Ukrainian children.

We are encouraged by the bipartisan group of legislators, led by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), who introduced Senate Resolution 236, calling for the return of abducted Ukrainian children before any peace agreement is finalized to end the war against Ukraine. Yet, the sentiment of senators must be followed by meaningful actions and support for the documentation and prosecution of war crimes against children.

The Georgetown University Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues has compiled a list of resources that can help inform a comprehensive child protection response.

How Does Halting U.S. Funding Harm Future Reunification Attempts?

In January 2025, the U.S. Department of State confirmed that it would abruptly terminate funding for critical initiatives supporting the documentation of Russian war crimes against Ukrainian children. Among the most high-profile was Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab, a critical effort to track and expose the mass deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. Since 2022, the lab has published 13 reports and contributed evidence to six International Criminal Court cases, including the arrest warrants issued for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova. The lab also maintains a vital database of 30,000 deported children and key satellite imagery used to monitor their movements, which now risks being lost. 

However, Yale’s crucial work is only part of the picture. The funding termination has also affected other U.S.-supported programs, including Save Ukraine, the Regional Centre for Human Rights (RCHR), and the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group for Ukraine. These organizations, which operate directly in Ukraine, have not received the same level of media attention, yet their contributions to identifying, reunifying, and supporting Ukrainian children are no less valuable.

Following public and political pressure in response to the sudden funding cuts, the U.S. administration granted Yale a six-week funding extension to allow for the transfer of its documents and archives to EUROPOL. However, this temporary reprieve does not undo the long-term damage from the funding cuts. The loss of sustained funding jeopardizes the continuity of this essential work to investigate war crimes against children and risks data degradation, stalling future reunification efforts, and leading to poorer outcomes for the children. Ongoing support is critical to ensure that these war crimes are thoroughly investigated, every child is returned, and the perpetrators are brought to justice.  This urgency was underscored in a June 11 bipartisan letter from several members of the U.S. Congress to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which called for the restoration of funding for the lab through the next fiscal year.

The Role of Ukrainian Organizations in Documenting War Crimes Committed Against Ukrainian Children

Given the highly complex nature of investigating Russian war crimes on the ground, it is crucial to recognize that supporting Ukrainian organizations working to document crimes and reunite children with their families is an effective and strategic policy choice. These organizations face ongoing funding challenges, but continue to seek new support as they consistently deliver meaningful results in an increasingly difficult operational environment. International partners who express concern must also support this frontline response.

The primary initiative on returning Ukrainian children is Bring Kids Back UA, a strategic action plan formed by the President of Ukraine. It unites the efforts of the Ukrainian government, partner countries, and international organizations to rescue children who have been forcefully deported from Ukraine. Also, with assistance from international organizations, the Ukrainian government, through the Office of the Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights and Rehabilitation, led by Daria Herasymchuk, and the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, led by Dmytro Lubinets, is engaged in a concerted effort to identify and reunite children who have been deported with their families and caregivers. Despite the slow progress, each successful reunification represents a victory. These cases illustrate the necessity for prompt action, as children are more likely to recover physical and psychological well-being if they are located and reunited in a timely manner and receive comprehensive support.

Several non-governmental organizations are also involved in documenting Russian war crimes against Ukrainian children, including the Regional Centre for Human Rights, Centre for Civil Education “Almenda,” and Where Are Our People? (a project of the PR Army).  Non-governmental organisations such as Save Ukraine and Helping to Leave also play a pivotal role in facilitating the evacuation and rehabilitation of children who have fled conflict zones. In addition, Charity foundation “East SOS” has been instrumental in assisting Ukrainian children and providing documentation to support legal investigations. 

I am a member of the East SOS documentary team, which has been preparing analytical reports and articles about Russian war crimes against Ukrainian children, working to preserve evidence and uphold justice and the right to truth since 2014. Since February 24, 2022, the team has recorded over 800 testimonies and documented over 1,500 alleged war crimes, including testimonies from children forcibly taken by Russia. Children from the occupied Luhansk region, in particular, have spoken about paramilitary groups established by the Russian occupation administration in occupied Ukrainian territories, which forcibly enlist young men. They have also described propaganda lessons and being forced to sing the Russian anthem at official events in educational institutions. Our research team carefully records and analyzes these facts and preserves the testimonies for the pursuit of justice, including submitting this as evidence to the International Criminal Court.

A Test for U.S. Leadership

The abduction and militarization of Ukrainian children are not just human rights violations—they are war crimes. They demand a strong, unwavering international response. These children deserve the chance to return to their families, grow up without fear, and reclaim their Ukrainian identity.

With its actions to withdraw support for essential efforts to return these children, the United States risks sending the message that these crimes are negotiable. The question is now clear: Does the United States still support recognizing the abduction of children as a war crime, or is it prepared to trade their futures for an ill-defined “peace”?

Vladyslav Havrylov is a collaborative fellow with the Collaborative on Global Children's Issues at Georgetown University. He is also an invited analytical expert with the Charity foundation "East-SOS," where he works to document Russian war crimes against Ukrainian children in the aftermath of the full-scale Russian invasion.

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In humanitarian situations and displacement settings, young children face multiple risks—including increased exposure to violence—that can deprive them of the nurturing care they need. These threats endanger their ability to reach their full potential and can negatively affect their development and well-being.

Drawing on insights from a previous Georgetown University Collaborative Insights report by Mara Tissera Luna, this blog examines early childhood development (ECD) and child protection (CP) in Guatemala. Despite notable progress in reducing child mortality and malnutrition, deep-rooted socioeconomic disparities, gender inequality, and political injustice continue to impact young children and their caregivers.

This Collaborative Insights report highlights insights proposed by community-based organizations (CBOs) to address these complex and interconnected challenges, which profoundly affect child development and protection. These recommendations focus on the obstacles children and their caregivers face, aiming to mitigate risks and help children survive and thrive.

Structural Inequalities and Conflicts Shaping ECD and CP in Guatemala

Let's start by exploring the current state of early childhood in Guatemala. With 18 million people, the largest country in Central America is known for its rich cultural, ethnic, and geographical diversity, along with abundant natural and human resources.

Yet despite these strengths, structural inequalities—socioeconomic, political, and gender-based—continue to impact young children and their caregivers, creating serious challenges for both child protection and development.

The numbers underscore these concerns: According to a UNICEF report, only half of children aged 24 to 59 months are on track with their health, learning, and psychosocial well-being. Meanwhile, the latest census indicates there are 2.3 million children aged 0 to 6, nearly half of whom—about one million—live in poverty, and over a third of whom—nearly 800,000—live in extreme poverty.

Adding to this broader context, structural violence, organized crime, the pursuit of educational and livelihood opportunities, and family reunification are key drivers of migration and displacement. Cultural attitudes that view migration as a path to upward mobility from an early age reinforce these patterns.

Existing Programs Share Common Challenges

Most programs—whether run by CBOs, national NGOs, or international NGOs—offer a broad range of ECD services in partnership with local government service providers, other CBOs, or non-governmental organizations.

Nearly all community-based programs in Guatemala employ a two-generation approach, combining ECD activities, such as home visits and positive parenting lessons, with CP initiatives, including mental health and psychosocial support. Many also provide caregiver-focused programs addressing livelihoods, economic development, literacy, reproductive health, gender-based violence, migration, and poverty alleviation.

Despite the positive strides made by these organizations, ECD programs continue to face several persistent challenges:

1. Lack of Integration Among ECD Programs

ECD initiatives are often scattered and operate in isolation, with minimal exchange of resources or lessons learned. This lack of coordination hampers their collective impact and limits the dissemination of best practices.

2. Limited Government Support

Sustaining ECD programs requires greater government involvement through dedicated funding and personnel. Without this, effective implementation remains challenging, especially at the municipal level.

3. Difficulty Engaging Caregivers

Several organizations identified a significant challenge in engaging caregivers in ECD programs. They identified a pressing need to educate caregivers and communities about the importance of early education, stimulation, and learning through play.

4. Socioeconomic Barriers

Nearly all organizations cited the precarious socioeconomic conditions of the families benefiting from the ECD programs as a significant obstacle to their participation in activities. Additionally, participants in peer–support groups, home visits, and positive parenting lessons are predominantly mothers, underscoring the need for broader family engagement.

5. Limited Access to Social Services

While ECD programs depend on families accessing additional social services, many families face significant obstacles, including limited transportation options and fear of racism or discrimination due to their Indigenous heritage or socioeconomic status.

Core Findings for INGOs and Donors

With a clearer understanding of the complex factors influencing ECD and CP in Guatemala, the focus now shifts to addressing these challenges effectively. The key insights gathered from CBOs can be grouped into three key areas:

• Strategies that support both children and their caregivers by addressing multifaceted needs, such as livelihoods, education, and well-being.

• Efforts to reduce disparities in knowledge creation by recognizing and valuing local expertise in shaping ECD programs.

• Partnerships and financial models that provide long-term, flexible support to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of ECD initiatives.

Social Justice in Whole-Family Approaches

Given the multiple challenges facing families and children, many interviewees from Guatemalan community-based organizations agreed that ECD and CP programs, policies, or interventions targeting Guatemalan children and their caregivers should be holistic. Their recommendations involve:

• Going beyond child-focused services to include caregiver well-being by promoting livelihoods, economic development, and social inclusion through whole-family approaches.
• Interviewees also highlighted the need for these initiatives to be grounded in gender justice and to foster children and youth's meaningful participation. These approaches can challenge harmful social norms, practices, and behaviors related to masculinity and rigid gender roles, which is particularly important given the significant caregiving responsibilities often assumed by women and youth, especially girls.
• The urgent need for a holistic approach is further underscored by the strong correlation between gender-based violence and child abuse. Many households experiencing partner violence also report incidents of child abuse, highlighting the necessity of addressing both issues simultaneously through integrated solutions.
• Many interviewees agreed that, given Guatemala's history of systemic racism against Indigenous populations, programs should engage the entire community and incorporate Indigenous and local knowledge. Understanding the historical root causes of inequality is essential to facilitating long-term systemic change.
• Several organizations also emphasized the significance of peer–support groups, awareness–raising, and community organizing, particularly in addressing socioeconomic and political issues and human rights violations that impact all community members.

Equity in Knowledge Creation

When it comes to democratizing knowledge production, valuing local knowledge and community-based practices takes center stage. CBOs possess unique insights into local realities and maintain close ties with the communities they serve.

To truly promote equality in knowledge creation—and empower these organizations to develop, systematize, and share their proven methodologies—funding becomes essential. This financial support would also enable the design and testing of educational materials focused on early childhood development for young caregivers and educators.

But funding isn't everything. Just as important, INGOs and donors must legitimize these organizations as knowledge creators. Recognizing their deep expertise and strong community connections ensures their contributions are properly credited and valued.

Many interviewees highlighted that preexisting local knowledge and methods should inform international aid agencies' decision-making processes. Rather than relying on international agendas applied uniformly, aid efforts should be guided by locally driven evaluations and needs assessments. This approach ensures that solutions genuinely address young children's and their families' unique needs within their specific sociocultural contexts.

International Cooperation and Funding

To support holistic approaches and the development of localized and community-based solutions, national and international funding must increase and be structured more effectively. Addressing these complex challenges requires a shift in how that funding is allocated and managed.

Below are some crucial areas that can drive significant improvements:

The Need for Increased Funding and Disaggregated Data

One of Guatemala's key challenges is the lack of robust data collection systems to accurately assess ECD needs across its diverse regions. Additionally, reporting systems are necessary to track how international donor funds are allocated. This mirrors a global issue—there's still no standardized method for monitoring donor commitments to early childhood programs in humanitarian contexts.

A Growing Call for Localizing Funding

To better support locally led ECD and child protection programs, it's crucial to increase direct funding for community-based organizations, local nonprofits, and grassroots entities. This approach bypasses intermediary agencies, ensuring that resources reach those who best understand local needs, improving program relevance, continuity, and sustainability.

CBOs Emphasize the Need for Long-Term, Flexible Funding

Unlike rigid, short-term grants, flexible funding allows organizations to adapt to their communities' evolving priorities and implement culturally appropriate solutions. As one CBO leader explained, "Flexible funding reflects trust in local leadership. It's about supporting local priorities, not just ticking boxes for funders."

Simplifying Complex Application Processes

Many grassroots organizations struggle with lengthy, bureaucratic application processes that require specialized expertise, creating an uneven playing field where only larger, well-resourced organizations can compete. By simplifying administrative requirements and offering more accessible funding models, donors can foster genuine partnerships and empower local organizations to lead.

What the Future Holds

We’ve seen how addressing the complex challenges of early childhood development and child protection in Guatemala requires a collaborative, integral, and holistic approach. By increasing flexible funding, fostering community-led initiatives, and prioritizing local knowledge, INGOs, donors, and governments can develop sustainable, culturally tailored solutions that truly meet the needs of young children and their caregivers.

Learn more about approaches to early childhood development, protection, and localization by diving deeper into the full report.

Mara Tissera Luna is a 2024-2025 collaborative fellow at Georgetown's Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues. She was previously the program manager for the Breakthrough Series Collaborative on Promoting Early Childhood Development (ECD) for Young Children on the Move in Northern Central America, an effort funded by the Bainum Foundation to learn from innovative community-based responses to address the ECD and protection needs of young children experiencing displacement in Guatemala. ​