Full Breakdown
From Orphanage to Russian Camp and Back: The Story of Denys Kostev
By Drooid · · How we work
Kostev’s Forced Transfer and Life in Occupied Crimea
Denys Kostev was 18 and living in a Kherson orphanage when the full-scale Russian invasion began in 2022. After initial anti-Russian videos, he was forcibly moved to the Luchisty summer camp in Russia-annexed Crimea. There, “every morning, you wake up to the Russian anthem, and every Monday, there’s a celebratory hoisting of the Russian flag” “Every morning, you wake up to the Russian anthem, and every Monday, there’s a celebratory hoisting of the Russian flag,” — Denys Kostev. He was compelled to appear in pro-Russian broadcasts, later recalling that “it was useful to play this pro-Russian role” “It was useful to play this pro-Russian role,” — Denys Kostev. The camp isolated the children, enforced a Russian curriculum for younger pupils, and restricted movement, with violations such as forced drinking, hospital isolation, and threats of imprisonment. In April 2023 Kostev was sent to the occupied town of Henichesk, where Russian-installed police strip-searched him and forced another propaganda video. He escaped in early 2024, reunited with family in Germany, crossed into Poland, and returned to Ukraine in April 2024, now training as a drone pilot.
Scale of Child Abductions and Re-education Claims
Kyiv reports that 84 Ukrainian orphans were held in the Crimea camp in 2023. Ukrainian rights groups estimate that almost 4,000 children were forcibly taken from orphanages in Russia-occupied regions, while Kyiv claims Moscow has moved nearly 20,000 Ukrainian minors for “brainwashing.” The Kremlin acknowledges children are being “re-educated” but says they were rescued from war zones. Ukrainian officials say about 5,500 youths from occupied areas were placed in the Yunarmiya (“Young Army”) program, which provides military training. Kyiv also states more than 2,600 children have been returned so far.
Official Positions from Kyiv and Moscow
Kyiv asserts that the forced transfers constitute a grave war crime and is collecting evidence against those involved. The Ukrainian government emphasizes the need to repatriate abducted children and prosecute perpetrators. The Kremlin, while confirming the existence of “re-education” efforts, rejects accusations of abduction, framing the relocations as humanitarian rescues.
Human-rights Observations
Svitlana Chunikhina, vice president of the Association of Political Psychologists of Ukraine, noted that children’s “flexible psyche” makes them vulnerable to Moscow’s narratives, though she cautioned that outcomes will vary among individuals.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It was useful to play this pro-Russian role,” — Denys Kostev
- “Every morning, you wake up to the Russian anthem, and every Monday, there’s a celebratory hoisting of the Russian flag,” — Denys Kostev
