Rostyslav Lavrov, a 17-year-old boy, was taken from his home in Ukraine and brought to Russian-controlled territories. He was with a group of three, and he came forward to the Washington Post in Kyiv and Kherson to share his systematic experience and how he managed to escape. The testimony from Lavrov can help prove that Russia is committing war crimes by relocating children. Russia wanted to issue Russian ID cards for Ukrainian children, but many tried to fight back and refuse it. Many of the children were too young to even know their names by heart or citizenship.

The teens ‘ testimonies specifically debunk Russian’s view that Ukrainian children are happy and finding safety in Russia. When in fact they are experiencing the complete opposite. They are being held like prisoners of war, which poses a huge political threat to Putin. After escaping Russia, Lavrov’s phone would ring off the hook due to missing poster signs from 1000 miles away, including phone calls from the Russian School in which Lavrov had attended. Due to the security measures, it is difficult for the children to flee back to their country and return safely. Overall, it is now very difficult for the children of Ukraine to return home, and they have to fight their way out and go through the struggle of being separated and have to fight for their life to gain the safety and happiness they need and deserve.

Article:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/11/25/children-russia-ukraine-war-

putin/