Ukraine's first lady reveals children deported to Russia face indoctrination
Ukrainian children deported to Russia are subjected to indoctrination and may even be conscripted to fight against Ukraine, according to Olena Zelenska, the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In an interview with Italian TV channel RAI, she revealed that the exact number of these children remains uncertain.
3:23 PM EDT, April 12, 2024
Olena Zelenska told Italian TV RAI, "As these children grow and reach adulthood, they could be drafted into the military and sent to fight in Ukraine. We have already received such reports."
"Our sources indicate that over 19,000 children have been deported to Russia. The figures provided by the Russian side suggest even higher numbers," Zelenska stated, highlighting discrepancies and the need for verification of these claims.
Zelenska further explained that Russia relocates these children, altering their documents and identities. This process, which starts with re-education and leads to military enlistment, was also highlighted by Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Commissioner for Human Rights.
Russia ignores Kyiv's appeals regarding children
"These children are indoctrinated with the belief that Ukraine has forsaken them, portraying a cynical and egregious crime against defenseless children," Zelenska remarked, pointing out the Russian government's disregard for Ukraine's appeals on this issue.
Since the onset of the Russian invasion, efforts to denationalize Ukraine have been evident, as indicated by Dmytro Lubitens in an interview with CNN. This includes the introduction of new textbooks in all schools that erase the identity of Ukraine and Ukrainians, claiming that Ukrainian children have always been Russian.
It's important to note that many claims made by Russian media and officials are likely unreliable and could be part of Russia's informational warfare strategy.
