UPROOTED | An investigation into Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children

by Olesia Bida and Vitalii Havura July 21, 2023 12:00 AM 1 min read

This audio is created with AI assistance

The Kyiv Independent's War Crimes Investigation Unit established the names of Russian-controlled officials who took part in the abduction and followed the paths of families who risked their lives to bring their children back.

Authors: Olesia Bida, Vitalii Havura

Independent journalism needs a community —
not a paywall.

We’re working hard to show the world the truth of Russia’s brutal war — and we’re keeping it free for everyone, because reliable information should be available to all.

Our goal: reach 20,000 members to prove independent journalism can survive without paywalls, billionaires, or compromise. Will you help us do it?

Can we reach 20,000 members?

Become a member

News Feed

1:58 AM

(Updated: June 6, 2025 3:56 am)

UPDATE: Russia hits Ukraine with large-scale attack days after Operation Spiderweb.

The attack, which has already injured at least three people in Kyiv, comes one night after Vladimir Putin promised to retaliate against Ukraine for striking Russia's heavy bombers on June 1.

2:53 AM

European Union

EU tariffs on Ukrainian goods return after 3 years of war, complicating Kyiv's path to European integration

11:40 PM

'Sometimes you’re better off letting them fight,’ Trump says on Russia-Ukraine war.

President Donald Trump likened the war between Russia and Ukraine to a fight between two children in a park, suggesting it might be better to let them clash for a while before stepping in, given the depth of animosity between them.

10:24 PM

Russia bombs central Kherson, partially destroys regional administration building.

Russian forces launched high-explosive bombs at the center of Ukraine's southern city of Kherson on June 5, hitting and partially destroying the Regional State Administration building and damaging several surrounding structures.

9:55 PM

In show of unity, US nominates next chief of NATO's European command.

U.S. President Donald Trump nominated Air Force Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich as the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) on June 5, reaffirming a key American role in NATO's military structure.

9:25 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine strikes Russian missile base in Bryansk Oblast, damages Iskander launchers; Trump dismisses timeline to impose Russian sanctions

7:59 PM

(Updated: June 5, 2025 8:54 pm)

'Deadline is in my brain' — Trump dismisses timeline to impose Russian sanctions.

U.S. President Donald Trump sidestepped questions on June 5 as to when he can be expected to impose additional sanctions on Russia, as the Kremlin continues to reject a ceasefire in Ukraine.

8:41 PM

Russia's response to Operation Spiderweb is likely 'not going to be pretty,' Trump says.

U.S. President Donald Trump warned on June 5 that Russia's response to Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb is likely "not going to be pretty," following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin the day prior.

6:38 PM

'Not destroyed but damaged' — Russia claims it will repair bombers struck in Operation Spiderweb.

In addition to supply-chain challenges brought upon economic sanctions, Russia would also likely face challenges due to the complexities of Soviet-era technology present in the aircraft, if it were to attempt to restore the bombers.

5:41 PM

'Time to put an end to insanity of war,' Brazil's Lula told Putin, calls for restraint following Operation Spiderweb.

"I said (to Putin) it's time to open our eyes and to put an end to the insanity of war, which destroys everything and builds nothing," Brazilian President Lula da Silva told reporters during a visit to France.

5:19 PM

Business

In wartime Ukraine, a university grows — and reclaims a space once reserved for the corrupt

5:14 PM

Culture

Controversial Russian literature prize sparks debate on separating culture from war crimes

5:09 PM

Video

Without justice, war will come back, veteran reporter says

4:41 PM

Damage, disruptions reported following explosion on train tracks in Russia's Voronezh Oblast, official claims.

Ukraine's intelligence agencies as well as Ukrainian partisan movements have previously been involved in sabotage attacks on Russian railways, disrupting the transport of military cargo toward the front line.

11:49 PM

(Updated: June 5, 2025 3:51 pm)

Putin tells new pope Kyiv seeks to escalate war, urges Vatican support for Moscow-linked church in Ukraine.

Russia wants the Vatican to "take a more active role" in advocating for what it described as freedom of religion in Ukraine, the Kremlin said in a statement on June 4 following recent diplomatic contacts.

3:42 PM

Slovak parliament urges government to oppose new Russia sanctions.

The non-binding resolution argues that the sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine have driven up energy prices, disrupted supply chains, and harmed Slovak industry.

2:45 PM

Russia plans to produce 2 million FPV drones in 2025, Ukrainian intelligence says.

The ramp-up marks a critical expansion of Moscow's drone warfare program, as both Ukraine and Russia increasingly rely on unmanned systems for reconnaissance and front-line attacks.

2:21 PM

Trump privately praises Ukraine's drone strike on Russian bombers as 'badass,' Axios reports.

While Trump has remained silent in public about the attack, he reportedly expressed enthusiasm behind closed doors.

8:49 AM

(Updated: June 5, 2025 1:08 pm)

UPROOTED | An investigation into Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children

Independent journalism needs a community — not a paywall.

Can we reach 20,000 members?

Most popular

News Feed

Editors' Picks

Subscribe

Independent journalism needs a community —
not a paywall.