UN: Russia’s Forced Transfer of Ukrainian Children Constitutes a War Crime

According to media reports, United Nations investigators said on March 16 that Russia forcibly transferred Ukrainian children to Russian-controlled territory, which constitutes a war crime. The United Nations is also investigating other crimes that may be involved in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including genocide. “We are absolutely aware of these possibilities, and we will pursue this if our mandate is being prolonged”, said Erik Mose, chairman of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, when asked at the press conference about specific accusations of genocide, including the forced transfer of Ukrainian children to areas under Russian control. Investigators have reached a preliminary conclusion that the forced deportation of Ukrainian children “violates international humanitarian law and constitutes a war crime.” As of last month, 16,221 Ukrainian children had been sent to Russia, according to Ukrainian authorities. In its first report of October 2022, the investigative team created by the UN Human Rights Council a year ago determined that Russia had committed a vast array of violations since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The list went on. The waves of attacks by Russian armed forces on Ukraine’s energy-related infrastructure from 10 October 2022, as well as widespread unlawful confinement and torture, may amount to crimes against humanity.