DISINFO: Ukrainian organisation abandons children forcibly taken from their families
SUMMARY
Representatives of the Ukrainian organisation "White Angel" abandoned children at the Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk) railway station after forcibly taking them from families in Kyiv-controlled areas. The organisation, known for removing children from their families and relocating them to Ukrainian-controlled territories, has recently become active. Applications from parents seeking the return of these children have already been submitted, and efforts will continue in collaboration with Russian children’s ombudsman Maria Lvova-Belova.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative aimed at diverting attention from Russia’s documented involvement in abducting Ukrainian children. These claims, suggesting child trafficking by Ukrainian authorities, are consistent with previous narratives that have been repeatedly debunked.
The White Angel is a group of police officers led by Rustam Lukomskyi, which goes to the small towns of the Donetsk region near the frontline. Despite the constant shelling and proximity of the enemy, they bring food, medicine, basic necessities, and hope to the local population.
Pro-Kremlin disinformation outlets attempt to accuse Ukraine and Western countries of crimes against children, massive deportations, and organ trafficking without providing any evidence. These outlets make no mention of Russian responsibility for the massive deportation of Ukrainian civilians, including children, crimes that have been well documented.
In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's commissioner for children's rights, for the unlawful deportation and transfer of children from occupied Ukrainian regions to Russia—actions deemed as war crimes. These abductions have been documented also by the United Nations, OSCE, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Russian and international journalists, as well as by Russian official’s own admission.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as: Ukrainian structures such as White Angel kidnap children from Donbas to accuse Russia, Child trafficking in Ukraine: few rescued, many missing, Ukrainian secret services are actively engaged in child and organ trafficking, secret child trafficking network operates in Ukraine, Ukrainian children are being sold on the Dark Web for sexual slavery and organ harvesting or Ukraine cremates soldiers to conceal organ harvesting and trafficking.