Russia has deported and forcibly transferred 20,000 Ukrainian children.
85% confidence
Foreign AffairsEurope
Omissions
The figure of 20,000 represents estimates from Ukrainian authorities and NGOs rather than an official ICC-verified count.
The ICC has charged Russia with war crimes regarding child deportations but the 20,000 figure comes from Ukrainian government and civil society sources.
ABC News article published on the same day as the claim (2026-03-11) cites a UN inquiry finding.
Some sources indicate the children were sent to both Russia and Belarus.
Sources
PrimaryInternational Criminal Court (ICC)ICC issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova on March 17, 2023 for war crimes of unlawful deportation of population (children) and unlawful transfer of population (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation
SecondaryBBC NewsUkraine says almost 20,000 children have been illegally sent to Russia and Belarus
SecondaryEl PaísNon-profit groups handed ICC information on 20,000 Ukrainian children deported to Russia
SecondaryABC News AustraliaUN inquiry finds Russia's deportations of 20,000 Ukrainian children amount to crimes against humanity