Russian Repression Tactics Against Ukrainian Children in Occupied Territories
According to the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD), Russia systematically employs repressive measures against Ukrainian children and youth living in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
Under this policy, the Kremlin utilizes anti-extremist legislation as a tool to suppress any expressions of Ukrainian identity among the younger generation.
Analysts from the Civic Education Center “Almenda” report that under the guise of combating extremism, the Russian authorities are implementing policies of assimilation and control in these regions.
Special focus is directed toward schoolchildren and teenagers, for whom any signs of Ukrainian culture — from social media posts to wearing Ukrainian symbols or listening to Ukrainian music — are classified as “extremism” or “destructive behavior.” Such measures pose a serious threat to the preservation of Ukrainian identity during occupation.
Additionally, there are documented cases of fines, forced public apologies, and pressure on families.
Particularly dangerous are practices where minors are sent for involuntary psychiatric treatment.
In the occupied Donetsk region alone, 161 children have faced criminal liability, with 48 placed in psychiatric facilities.
The CCD emphasizes that Russia exploits anti-extremist norms to eradicate Ukrainian culture on the territories and to embed a “All-Russian” identity among young people.
Earlier reports indicated that Moscow is intensifying its militarization efforts among youth, aiming to increase the number of participants in the youth movement “Dvizhenie Pervykh” from 12.5 million to 18 million, raising them in an environment of hatred toward Ukraine.