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Russian officials continue to use psychological treatment and rehabilitation programs as a justification for the deportation of Ukrainian children. The Republic of Kalmykia Ministry of Social Development, Labor, and Employment announced on March 23 that a group of children with disabilities arrived in the Republic of Kalmykia from occupied Antratsyt, Luhansk Oblast for “medical and social rehabilitation.” The Republic of Kalmykia is a patron region for occupied Antratsyt Raion, and has hosted children from the settlement for rehabilitation and summer programs several times since 2022. Russia’s deportation of Ukrainian children for such rehabilitation programs extends beyond the patron-client relationship between the Republic of Kalmykia and Antratsyt, however. Russian State Duma Deputy Anna Kuznetsova, who notably served as the Kremlin-appointed Commissioner on Children’s Rights from 2016 to 2021, told Russian state television program Vesti on March 12 that her humanitarian organization has “organized” the “evacuation” of 3,500 Ukrainian children to Russia for “treatment and rehabilitation” since 2022. Kuznetsova’s statement focused on evacuations organized through her humanitarian project, so the true number of deportations for rehabilitation programs is likely to be much higher than the 3,500. Kuznetsova noted that some children received “surgical interventions” during their rehabilitation time in Russia. Russian officials, including healthcare workers, have frequently weaponized the concept of medical or psychological care as a guise to deport Ukrainian children to Russia in a manner that is inconsistent with international legal requirements on Russia as a belligerent occupying power.
Russia continues to coerce children in occupied Ukraine into producing military equipment for the Russian military. Independent Crimea-based news outlet Inzhir reported on March 26 that occupation authorities forced children at a school in occupied Simferopol to weave camouflage nets for the Russian Armed Forces under threats of academic repercussions and having their parents reported to the Federal Security Service (FSB). Occupation authorities framed these activities as “nurturing patriotism” and “civic responsibility.” ISW has previously reported on instances when Russian officials forced Ukrainian children to produce military goods, including camouflage nets and drone components. These activities further normalize daily participation in Russia’s war effort, militarize the school system, and instill Russian military-patriotic ideals in Ukrainian children — all supporting Russia’s campaign to raise a generation of Ukrainian children loyal and supportive of the Russian military.
Russian mismanagement has created a critical food, water, and resource shortage that is driving a dire humanitarian crisis in occupied Oleshky, Kherson Oblast. The Ukrainian Media Initiative for Human Rights (MIHR) reported on March 24 that Russian occupation authorities stopped deliveries of food and supplies to occupied Oleshky in late December 2025, amid the threat of Ukrainian mines, shelling, and drone strikes. MIHR stated that residents of Oleshky emptied the last two supply trucks carrying dairy products and vegetables out of desperation on January 7. An evacuation volunteer told MIHR on March 24 that residents have resorted to hunting for food, and there have been multiple cases of residents dying from starvation, cold, and a lack of medical care. The Ukrainian Resistance Center reported on March 26 that the occupation leadership left Oleshky and moved to Skadovsk, removing itself from the humanitarian crisis and isolating the population. The Ukrainian Resistance Center reported that all stores in Oleshky have closed, and that the hospital has established itself as the only point of sale, selling food at exorbitant prices that most residents cannot afford. Residents are unable to leave due to road blockades, mines, and spikes. Russian Armed Forces personnel struck on February 8 two cars carrying supplies to Oleshky, and front-line artillery and drone exchanges across the Dnipro River often strike the town. ISW previously assessed that Russia’s economic relationship with occupied Ukraine is extractive and self-serving, and Russia’s war restricts consumer logistics routes and limits the goods and services available to occupied Ukrainians.
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