Russia continues preparations to deport tens of thousands of Ukrainian children to summer camps across occupied Ukraine and Russia, including to areas of Crimea that are unsafe. The Kherson Oblast occupation administration reported on April 28 that it plans to send 600 children from occupied Henichesk Raion to summer camps in the Adygea Republic throughout Summer 2025 for “recreation and rest.” ISW previously observed reports of children from occupied Kherson Oblast, specifically from occupied Henichesk Raion, arriving at the Lan and Gornyi children’s camps in Kamennomostskii, Adygea Republic between 2022-2024, suggesting that these camps may have agreements with Kherson Oblast occupation authorities. Kamennomostkskii is nearly 500km from occupied Henichesk. The Adygean Ministry of Labor previously claimed that Ukrainian children will experience “culture and the way of life of our Motherland” while at summer camps in Adygea—strongly emphasizing the fact that Russia uses such summer camps to indoctrinate Ukrainian children and propagate pro-Russian values. Russian First Deputy Education Minister Alexander Bugayev stated on April 27 that about 53,000 Ukrainian children will “spend their summer holidays” at Russian summer camps throughout occupied Ukraine and the Russian Federation, likely including camps in Adygea Republic. Summer camps on the coastline in occupied Crimea are likely to be physically unsafe for children, however, due to the lasting results of a December 2024 crash of Russian oil tankers in the Kerch Strait. Crimea occupation head Sergei Aksyonov recently claimed that over 23,000 children from occupied Ukraine and Russia will attend over 380 summer camps in occupied Crimea in Summer 2025, despite concerns from Russian activists about persistent fuel contamination of beaches, including those near children’s camps. The deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia under the guise of participation in summer camps, regardless of the duration of their stay, is likely a violation of international law. Russia, as the occupying power, is furthermore required to safeguard the health of occupied populations (particularly vulnerable populations such as children) and will be in violation of this responsibility if it sends children to unsafe areas that could pose health risks to children.
Key Takeaways:
- Russia continues preparations to deport tens of thousands of Ukrainian children to summer camps across occupied Ukraine and Russia, including to areas of Crimea that are unsafe.
- Russia is systematically torturing Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) and civilians held in Russian detention.
- Kremlin-linked and federally-funded youth organizations and educational initiatives continue to facilitate the indoctrination of Ukrainian children.
- Russia is installing Russian veterans of the war in Ukraine in occupation administrations as part of a wider initiative to militarize occupied Ukraine and strengthen Russian governance over occupied areas.
- The wife of a deceased Kherson Oblast occupation deputy launched a youth program aimed at encouraging high birth rates and Russian family values in occupied Kherson Oblast.
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[ISW] 러시아의 공세 캠페인 평가, 2025년 5월 1일
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