A recent Senate hearing, led by Senators Lindsey Graham and Brian Schatz, has brought forth alarming new evidence regarding Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children. Ukrainian human rights organizations reported that some abducted children were forcibly transferred to North Korea and placed in military-style camps. This revelation was presented at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, highlighting the scope and intentions behind Russia’s deportation practices. Notably, Ukraine has successfully returned 1,859 children abducted by Russia.
Read More
During a Wednesday Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, U.S. senators and Ukrainian Ambassador Olga Stefanishyna discussed Russia’s alleged abduction of Ukrainian children, characterizing it as a form of genocide. The hearing, titled “The Abduction of Ukrainian Children by the Russian Federation,” aimed to investigate claims that Russia has forcibly removed tens of thousands of children since the invasion began. Witnesses reported that the abducted children are subjected to cultural erasure, including name changes and forced assimilation into Russian culture, as part of a strategic effort to eliminate Ukrainian identity. Senators emphasized the need to account for every child and hold perpetrators accountable, as the abductions present a major obstacle to peace negotiations.
Read More
Following a mass abduction at a school in northwestern Nigeria, all 24 schoolgirls have been rescued, according to President Bola Tinubu. The girls were taken from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi state on November 17th. While details of the rescue remain undisclosed, authorities have stated that the girls are currently in their custody. The recent incident adds to a string of abductions in Nigeria, including an attack on a Catholic school where over 300 students and staff were kidnapped.
Read More
In Nigeria’s latest incident of mass abduction, gunmen attacked St. Mary’s School, a Catholic boarding school, seizing 215 students and 12 teachers, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria. The attack occurred despite prior intelligence warnings of potential threats, with authorities noting the school had reopened without government clearance. The Niger State Police Command has deployed military and security forces, and the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora reported a security staffer was injured. This follows a pattern of abductions, with schools, travelers, and remote villages frequently targeted by gangs, prompting the closure of numerous federal unity colleges and President Bola Tinubu to cancel his trip to the G20 summit.
Read More
In October 2022, Russian soldiers abducted 16-year-old Vladislav Rudenko from his home in Kherson as part of a systematic effort to relocate and re-educate Ukrainian children. He was held in multiple camps, where he was subjected to re-education and mistreatment before being reunited with his mother after an arduous journey facilitated by the organization Save Ukraine. Vlad’s case reflects a broader issue, as thousands of Ukrainian children have been forcibly relocated across various locations by Russia, a practice for which the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants. Experts emphasize the urgent need to rescue these children as Russia continues its military actions.
Read More
In a recent cyber operation, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) uncovered further evidence of Russia’s mass abduction of Ukrainian children. Cyber specialists gained access to Russian occupation administration servers in Crimea, retrieving thousands of documents detailing the organized deportation of children from occupied territories. These documents include personal profiles, illegal guardianship appointments, and relocation records. HUR intends to use this data to support criminal investigations and facilitate the return of abducted children, a non-negotiable condition for future peace agreements.
Read More
International observers report that Russia has abducted over 35,000 Ukrainian children, subjecting them to re-education and military training. While Ukrainian officials allege some children are being forced to fight against Ukraine upon turning 18, this claim remains unverified. The updated figures are based on photographic evidence and Russian documents, reflecting a long-standing policy of “Russification” dating back to 2014. Russia denies these accusations, claiming they are rescuing children from combat zones, despite an International Criminal Court indictment against President Putin for transferring children from occupied territory.
Read More
South Los Angeles community activist Yuriana Juliana “Juli” Pelaez Calderon was reportedly “abducted” by men in an unmarked car on June 25. Calderon contacted her family, revealing she was held in a warehouse with others and believes her captors are bounty hunters. Community leaders are demanding to know her whereabouts and the right for her to speak with an attorney. Calderon refused to sign self-deportation paperwork and was subsequently held in a warehouse without due process.
Read More
As I read about the six-year-old boy abducted from a California park in 1951 who was found alive after seven decades, a flood of emotions overwhelmed me. The thought of a child being taken away from his family at such a tender age is truly heartbreaking. The fact that he was reunited with his brother after all these years is bittersweet. It’s a mix of relief and sorrow, knowing that his parents never got to see their son again but at least there was some closure for the rest of the family.
I couldn’t help but wonder about the abductor and the couple who raised him as their own.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker