April 17, 2026
Euronews: Ukrainian children taken at gunpoint by Russian forces in Kherson, documents show
Euronews obtained a copy of one of the documented episodes of Russia's systemic abduction and forceful deportation of Ukrainian children from temporarily occupied territories.
Ukraine's Prosecutor General filed charges against a serviceman of the Russian Armed Forces who organised and personally participated in the unlawful transfer to Russia of 15 Ukrainian children.
According to official documents seen by Euronews, the case concerns events in the village of Novopetrivka in the Kherson region during Russia's occupation between March and November 2022.
The children were in the care of the local school's director, who, together with her husband, tried to "ensure their safety and proper living conditions."
Ten of the children lived with no parental care, three were orphans and two others were living in what was only described as difficult circumstances.
The accused Russian soldier together with other servicemen, arrived at the school threatening people with weapons, according to the documents seen by Euronews.
The director was interrogated, and in order to prevent any departure, three armed soldiers were left at the school.
Ukraine's Prosecutor General says that the next day, the accused Russian serviceman personally organised the forcible removal of the children.
Escorted by around 20 armed servicemen, the children, as well as the school director and her husband, were transported to the settlement of Stepanivka, deeper inside Kherson.
They were held there for about three months.