Story perspectives

Pro-Kremlin Accounts Spread False Claims About Ukrainian Children

2/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

Pro-Kremlin social media accounts are promoting unfounded claims that Russia rescued Ukrainian children from sex trafficking using newly released Jeffrey Epstein files.
Research by AFP and the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) shows these claims contradict evidence of Russia forcibly deporting nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children since its 2022 invasion.
Following the Epstein file release, social media posts surged, exceeding 15,000 in two days.
The ISD report notes no evidence links the Russian state to these posts, but the Epstein revelations amplify existing narratives.

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Story summary

Pro-Kremlin social media accounts are promoting unfounded claims that Russia rescued Ukrainian children from sex trafficking using newly released Jeffrey Epstein files.
Research by AFP and the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) shows these claims contradict evidence of Russia forcibly deporting nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children since its 2022 invasion.
Following the Epstein file release, social media posts surged, exceeding 15,000 in two days.
The ISD report notes no evidence links the Russian state to these posts, but the Epstein revelations amplify existing narratives.