Yale Humanitarian Research Lab Releases 'Russia’s Systematic Program of the Coerced Adoption and Fostering of Ukraine’s Children' Report

On December 3, the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) released its report, “Russia’s Systematic Program of the Coerced Adoption and Fostering of Ukraine’s Children,” following 20 months of research under the Conflict Observatory program. It provides the most comprehensive analysis of Russia’s systematic efforts to forcibly adopt and re-educate Ukrainian children, erasing their identity and undermining Ukraine’s nationhood.

The report identifies 314 Ukrainian children forcibly removed since February 2022, including 148 listed in Russian child placement databases, with 42 already adopted or under guardianship, and 166 placed with Russian families. Over 80% of these children were taken from Donetsk and Luhansk regions and relocated to at least 21 regions across Russia. Many were subjected to propaganda and cultural indoctrination at temporary holding sites before being permanently placed. Profiles were altered in Russian databases, and at least 67 children were issued Russian citizenship, enabling guardians to revoke their Ukrainian citizenship without consent.

This criminal program, led by senior Russian officials including President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, reflects a coordinated effort to erase Ukrainian identity. It shifted in October 2022 from temporary guardianship to permanent adoption, aligning with Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territories. The HRL’s findings have been shared with the ICC and Ukrainian authorities, paving the way for charges against additional Russian officials.

Ukraine calls on the international community to demand Russia’s full disclosure of all deported Ukrainian children and grant international missions access to facilities in Russia and occupied territories. Global support is essential to rescue these children, reunite them with their families, and ensure their safe reintegration.

This report follows two other HRL investigations on particular Belarus’ involvement in the deportation of over 2,442 Ukrainian children as well as Russia’s Systematic Program for the Re-education and Adoption of Ukraine's Children affecting at least 6,000 children.

Together, these findings reveal systematic efforts to erase Ukrainian identity. We urge decisive global action to end these grave violations of international law.