Russia Accused of Militarizing 1.6 Million Ukrainian Children, OSCE Says

Independent experts mandated by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) presented a report on 9 July in Vienna that documents a systematic programme forcing Ukrainian children in Russian-occupied territories into military indoctrination. The investigators, who conducted fieldwork in Ukraine from 6 to 11 June, say the scheme includes training camps, weapons and drone handling classes, and cases where young adults drafted from these programmes were sent to the front line. The experts estimate that roughly 1.6 million children living in the Crimean peninsula (occupied since 2014) or in eastern regions partially controlled by Russia are at risk. Kyiv reports that 20,610 children have already been taken to Russian territory.

Japan TodayThe Straits Times

The mission is part of the OSCE’s “Moscow Mechanism,” a process activated by 41 member states on 14 May to investigate grave human-rights abuses in the conflict that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. This was the sixth such mission in Ukraine. Russia has refused to cooperate with the experts.

The Straits Times

The report urges that the issue of children be placed on the agenda of any peace negotiations and calls for humanitarian corridors to reunite families. Ukrainian authorities stress the need for large-scale reintegration programmes for children returned from Russia, describing the task as “a big job to be done.” Russian officials have not issued a public response to the findings.

Japan Today

OSCE experts argue that the indoctrination and militarisation “may amount to the crime against humanity of persecution,” a charge that could trigger international legal scrutiny. Human-rights observers note that targeting children, parents and teachers who try to preserve Ukrainian identity heightens concerns of systematic persecution.

The Straits Times

• “We think... that this system of indoctrination and militarisation may amount to the crime against humanity of persecution,” — Herve Ascensio, French researcher

The Straits Times

• “We interviewed young adults who have left their families behind” — Elina Steinerte, Latvian expert

The Straits Times

• “a big job to be done” — Elina Steinerte, Latvian expert (on reintegration programmes)

The Straits Times

• “The report recommends putting the issue of children on the table in any talks on ending the conflict and calls for the opening of humanitarian corridors to allow families to reunite.” — OSCE report

The Straits Times