A disturbing online “adoption catalog” created by Russian occupation authorities in Ukraine has come under fire for allegedly facilitating child trafficking. The platform, hosted by the Russian-controlled education department in Luhansk Oblast, features profiles of 294 Ukrainian children—sorted by age, eye color, hair color, and personality traits such as “obedient” or “calm.”
The existence of the database was revealed by Mykola Kuleba, head of the Ukrainian NGO Save Ukraine, who condemned it as “modern-day slavery.” He stated on August 6 that the catalog is a part of Russia’s systematic effort to erase Ukrainian identity and assimilate abducted children.
“They describe our children like products—like items in a slave catalog. This is child trafficking in the 21st century, and the world must act to stop it,” Kuleba said in an Instagram statement.
Stolen Lives, Stolen Identities
According to Kuleba, most children listed in the catalog were born in Luhansk before Russia's occupation and held Ukrainian citizenship. Some lost their parents due to the war, while others were forcibly issued Russian identification documents, effectively erasing their Ukrainian origins.
Save Ukraine also published screenshots of the site, which shows children's photos, names, ages, and behavioral descriptions, alongside options for adoption or foster care. The database openly encourages sorting based on physical appearance.
Thousands of Children Forcibly Taken
Ukraine reports that over 19,500 children have been forcibly taken by Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion. Shockingly, only 1,480 have been successfully returned. Ukrainian officials warn the real number may be much higher, with estimates ranging from 150,000 to 300,000 children, according to various national authorities.
Many of these children have been systematically deported from territories occupied since 2014, including Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk, and placed with Russian families across Moscow and other regions.
International Condemnation and ICC Arrest Warrants
The international community has condemned these abductions as war crimes. During peace talks in Istanbul, Russian negotiators mocked Ukraine’s demands for the children’s return, calling them “a show for childless European old ladies,” according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In response to these crimes, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in March 2023 for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children’s Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova, citing their direct involvement in organizing the illegal transfers.
Call to Action
Kuleba emphasized that Russia’s use of this digital adoption system is part of a larger effort to normalize child trafficking under the guise of humanitarian care. He also noted that the catalog may be a response to dwindling interest in adoption within Russia, with officials attempting to "optimize" the process.
“We are witnessing an organized, state-sponsored system to erase the identities of Ukrainian children,” Kuleba warned.
Save Ukraine, founded in 2014, continues to advocate for the return of these children and support those rescued from Russian-occupied territories.
What’s Next?
As global pressure mounts, Ukrainian officials are urging the international community to intervene, investigate, and prosecute those responsible. The Kyiv Independent has reached out to Ukraine’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights for further comment.
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