A United Nations inquiry has concluded that Russia's deportation and forcible transfer of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia constitute crimes against humanity. The UN's Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine stated it has evidence Moscow is responsible for "enforced disappearance of children."
Of the 1,205 cases confirmed by the commission, 80 percent of deported or transferred children have not returned after four years. Investigators noted that Russia has failed to establish a system for returns, instead focusing on long-term placement of children within Russia without informing relatives.
The commission previously found that these actions were war crimes, including the unjustifiable delay of repatriation, and were not guided by the best interests of the child, violating international law. Russian President Vladimir Putin's involvement has been visible from the outset, according to the probe. The International Criminal Court previously issued an arrest warrant for Putin over the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children.
The report also highlighted extreme violence and disregard for human life against foreign nationals recruited to fight for Russian troops in Ukraine, describing them as "cannon fodder." The commission also raised concerns about the treatment of conscientious objectors in Ukraine.