Ukrainian children from occupied territories are being taken to Russia under the pretext of cultural excursions, aiming for their integration into Russian society, according to Ukraine's Defence Intelligence.
Ukrainian Defence Intelligence has reported that Russian authorities are transferring Ukrainian children from occupied territories to Russia by disguising these transfers as cultural excursions. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to integrate Ukrainian youth into the Russian sociocultural space, promoting loyalty to the Kremlin. The project, branded as 'Kulturnaya karta 4+85', was initiated by the Russian Ministry of Culture and is executed by the state enterprise Rosconcert.
The stated purpose of these excursions is to expose Ukrainian children to Russian culture; however, Defence Intelligence warns that the actual goal is to alter the identity of these children, ensuring that they grow up as proponents of Russian ideology. By embedding these children into Russian cultural settings, the Kremlin aims to dismantle their Ukrainian heritage and allegiance, which poses long-term risks for Ukraine's national identity and integrity.
The implications of this program extend beyond mere cultural education, as it reflects a systematic violation of children's rights and a form of cultural imperialism by Russia. This situation raises significant concerns about the potential loss of Ukrainian identity among future generations and calls for further international scrutiny and action against these practices.
