Ukrainian children from Russian-controlled Vasylivka taken to Belarus

CNN reported the information.

The civil-military administration appointed by Russia in the occupied Ukrainian district of Vasylivka has sent children to a “recreation camp” in Belarus. 

The Russian officials claimed that the “recreation program for children is free and is supported personally by Lukashenko and Putin.” The first group of 43 children between the ages of 8 and 15 are scheduled to stay at the children's health camp from April 24 to May 10, with the next group scheduled for May 14. 

CNN attempted to contact Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, regarding this incident, but has not received a response. 

Ukrainian officials have previously characterized these camps as a part of Moscow's scheme to forcibly deport children from Ukraine.

In February, a report was released, detailing allegations of a network of dozens of camps where children were subjected to "political reeducation," which included Russia-centric academic, cultural, and military education.

According to Ukrainian officials, approximately 20,000 children have been illegally deported to Russia, Belarus, or forcibly relocated to occupied territories. 

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, at least 470 children died, 949 were wounded, and 406 remain missing. 

• Last month, Putin and a senior official, Maria Lvova-Belova, were charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court based on allegations of forced deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia.