Forget Us Not

Russia has
abducted 19,546+
Ukrainian children

Forget Us Not is a civil society coalition advocating for their return

at least
19,546

reported cases of abduction

only
1592

children returned from abduction and occupation

100,000 - 200,000

children estimated abducted by the Russian Federation

over
1.6 million

children under occupation

About the issue

Since its first invasion of Ukraine in 2014, Russia has been abducting and indoctrinating Ukrainian children. These crimes became systematic during the full-scale invasion in 2022.

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Russia displaces the whole orphanages, separates children from parents in hospitals and filtration camps, and forcibly takes them to "recreational camps".

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Abducted children are subjected to illegal adoption - even those with living family members. Those abducted and under occupation are subjected to an aggressive indoctrination, military training and are forced to adopt Russian citizenship.

In Russian captivity

Illegal adoption

American researchers identified 314 Ukrainian children placed in Russia’s program of coerced adoption and fostering since February 2022 – 208 of which have already been placed in a Russian family, or have had Russians as their guardians. Real numbers are much higher and could amount to thousands of children.

Militarization

Russia subjects Ukrainian children to militarization: kids are taught to dig trenches, use a gun and jump with a parachute.Reports have confirmed the existence of at least 32 re-educational facilities across Russia for Ukrainian children with 11 located over 500 miles from Ukraine - two in Siberia and one in Russia’s East.

Indoctrination

Abducted children and those in occupied territories are forced to go to Russian schools, where they are taught that Ukraine does not exist and the West is the enemy. Young children are vulnerable to such influence and take on trusting these teaching more than their own parents.

Family separation

Russia not only displaces the whole orphanages, but takes children with living parents from boarding schools, separates children from parents in hospitals and filtration camps and also coerce parents to send their children to "recreational camps" under the threat of depriving them of parental rights.

Risk of child trafficking

Frequent displacement and relocation of children from their native environment to a hostile country as well as subjecting them to the legal complications - change of name and citizenship - creates environment for child trafficking and puts them at higher risk of exploitation

Abuse and mistreatment

In Russian captivity, children do not receive appropriate medical treatment and are subjected to physical, sexual and psychological abuse. It leads to irreversible health issues and event suicides.

How to help

Call your Representative

Ask them to support S.Res 236 and H.Res 564

Spread the word

Write to your local media and share the news about the issue on social media

Organize an event

Spread awareness about the issue in your community

Donate

Support organizations that help children