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Russia Sends Ukrainian Children from Occupied Territories to North Korean Camp with Militaristic Propaganda
Russian authorities are transporting Ukrainian children from occupied areas of Donetsk region and Crimea to a summer camp in North Korea where they are subjected to political indoctrination and activities with violent themes, according to an investigation by Ukrainian journalists.
The Sondovon summer camp serves as a venue where children, including those from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, participate in daily rituals glorifying North Korean leadership and engage in activities promoting anti-Western sentiment, Kyiv-based Suspilne news outlet has reported.
Among the attendees was 12-year-old Mykhailo from Russian-occupied Makiivka in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region. In an interview with the Russian propaganda outlet ZOV DNR, the boy described his experiences at the camp, which included both cultural activities and explicit political indoctrination.
“I really liked it. People there have such a strong cult of personality: they deeply honor Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, and Kim Jong Un. Everyone goes along, no one complains. Everyone has what they need, and everyone is fine,” Mykhailo was quoted as saying.
The daily routine at the camp reportedly includes mandatory cleaning of monuments dedicated to North Korean leaders each morning, followed by political speeches denouncing Western countries, particularly the United States. Children are also encouraged to play computer games with militaristic themes, including one that simulates “blowing up the White House.”
A Russian history teacher from Khabarovsk, captured on video at the camp, reinforced the anti-American messaging: “Now that Russia and the DPRK have become allies, the days of American imperialism are numbered. Together we will bring closer the day when American imperialism is destroyed.”
Human rights activist Kateryna Rashevska warns that these programs represent a troubling escalation in Russia’s efforts to indoctrinate children from occupied Ukrainian territories.
“Russia presents these trips for children from occupied Ukrainian territories as ‘cultural exchanges,’ but in reality they are tools of political propaganda,” Rashevska explained. “This isn’t about personal development — it’s about instilling loyalty to the aggressor state and its allies.”
The camp operates amid strengthening ties between North Korea and Russia. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, North Korea has emerged as one of Russia’s few international supporters. Recent intelligence reports suggest North Korea has supplied Russia with significant quantities of artillery shells and missiles for use in Ukraine, while Russia has offered economic and diplomatic support to the isolated regime.
International law experts have raised concerns that such programs may violate multiple conventions on children’s rights. The forced transfer of children from occupied territories is specifically prohibited under the Geneva Convention and can constitute a war crime under international law.
The Ukrainian government has repeatedly accused Russia of systematically relocating children from occupied regions, with President Volodymyr Zelensky claiming that thousands of Ukrainian children have been forcibly taken to Russia since the invasion began. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova on charges related to the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children.
Rashevska warned that these North Korean camps could expand in scale, exposing more Ukrainian children to distorted worldviews and normalizing aggression against their homeland. Child psychologists have noted that such intensive political indoctrination can have long-lasting effects on children’s development and identity formation, particularly for those already traumatized by war.
Ukrainian authorities and international organizations continue to document these cases as part of broader efforts to hold Russia accountable for alleged war crimes in Ukraine and to eventually reunite displaced children with their families.
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16 Comments
The reports of Russian authorities transferring Ukrainian children to North Korea are deeply concerning. This appears to be a coordinated effort to indoctrinate these children and erase their Ukrainian identity. It’s a flagrant violation of human rights that cannot be tolerated.
Absolutely. The forced relocation and subjection of these children to North Korean propaganda is a horrific abuse of power. The international community must take swift action to protect these vulnerable children and ensure their safe return to Ukraine.
Sending Ukrainian children to North Korea is an unconscionable act of propaganda and cultural erasure. The reports of indoctrination and glorification of authoritarian regimes are deeply concerning. This is a grave humanitarian crisis that requires immediate international intervention.
Absolutely. The forced relocation and indoctrination of these children is a flagrant violation of their human rights. The international community must take urgent action to protect them and return them safely to their families.
This is a disturbing report about the Russian government forcibly transferring Ukrainian children to North Korea for indoctrination. It’s a clear violation of international law and human rights. The children should be returned to their families immediately.
I agree, this is a horrific abuse of power and a blatant disregard for the wellbeing of vulnerable children. Russia must be held accountable for these actions.
The details in this report about the Sondovon summer camp are chilling. Forcing Ukrainian children to participate in activities that promote anti-Western sentiment and a cult of personality around North Korean leadership is a despicable abuse of power. This cannot be tolerated.
You’re right, this is a blatant attempt at cultural genocide. The Russian and North Korean governments are exploiting these vulnerable children for their own political gain. The international community must intervene to put an end to these abhorrent practices.
This is a disturbing development in the ongoing conflict. Forcing Ukrainian children into North Korean propaganda camps is a horrific abuse of power and a violation of international law. The Russian and North Korean regimes must be held accountable for these atrocities.
I agree, this is a blatant attempt at cultural erasure and indoctrination of vulnerable children. The international community needs to intervene immediately to ensure the safe return of these Ukrainian children to their families.
The reports of Russian authorities sending Ukrainian children to North Korea for indoctrination are deeply troubling. This appears to be a coordinated effort to brainwash these vulnerable children and erase their Ukrainian identity. It’s a clear violation of international law and human rights that cannot be tolerated.
Absolutely. The forced relocation and subjection of these children to North Korean propaganda is a horrific abuse of power. The international community must take swift action to protect these children and ensure their safe return to Ukraine.
I’m deeply troubled by the reports of Russian authorities transporting Ukrainian children to North Korea. Subjecting them to political indoctrination and militaristic activities is a gross violation of their rights. This is a clear example of how Russia is weaponizing children in its war against Ukraine.
Absolutely. The forced relocation and indoctrination of these children is a flagrant violation of their human rights. The international community must take urgent action to protect them and return them safely to their families.
This is a truly disturbing and unacceptable situation. Forcibly transferring Ukrainian children to North Korea for indoctrination is a gross violation of their human rights and a blatant attempt at cultural erasure. The Russian and North Korean regimes must be held accountable for these atrocities.
I agree, this is a flagrant disregard for the wellbeing of these children. The international community needs to intervene immediately to secure the safe return of the Ukrainian children and ensure they receive the support and care they need.