Russia forcibly removes 25 Ukrainian civilians, including children, from occupied Kharkiv Oblast, ombudsman says

On October 9, Ukraine's Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reported that Russian forces forcibly removed 25 Ukrainian civilians, including children, from occupied Kharkiv Oblast. The individuals, ranging in age from young people to the elderly, were taken from a region where combat continues. Their current location and treatment remain undisclosed, according to Lubinets.

Russia labels these actions as evacuations, but Lubinets asserts they constitute coercion, as people are forcefully removed, intimidated, and left with no choice.

Lubinets criticized Russia for publishing footage of what they claimed was a rescue operation on their Telegram channels, noting signs of intimidation and pressure on civilians who did not consent to relocation. The Kyiv Independent was unable to independently verify the details of the reported removals. Lubinets warned that Russian occupation authorities had established a Telegram bot to solicit personal data under the guise of evacuation, potentially endangering civilians and their families.

Forcible transfers and deportations of civilians from occupied territory are strictly prohibited under Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Lubinets had previously contacted Russia's human rights commissioner, urging them to provide information about the 25 civilians, their location, and living conditions, as well as efforts to facilitate their return to Ukraine. He also sought assistance from the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations, and other international bodies.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, it has repeatedly forcibly transferred and deported Ukrainian civilians, including children, from occupied territories. A UN commission concluded in March 2026 that Russia's deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children constituted crimes against humanity.