Archive · 4 Dec 2025
Ukraine Accuses Russia of Sending Children to North Korea
Ukraine says Russia has taken thousands of Ukrainian children to North Korea.
These children are being sent to camps where they are taught different things, like how to fight against Japanese militarists.
Ukraine's human rights leader, Dmytro Lubinets, said there are 165 such camps in different places.
Russia says they are moving the children to keep them safe and help them find their families, but Ukraine does not believe this.
A group called the Regional Center for Human Rights said some children were taken to a camp in North Korea called Songdowon, where they met veterans and learned about fighting.
Ukraine accuses Russia of sending abducted children to North Korea for re-education.
Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's human rights ombudsman, reported a network of 165 re-education camps.
Children were allegedly taken to the Songdowon summer camp in North Korea.
Ukraine claims almost 20,000 children have been abducted since the 2022 invasion.
Russia acknowledges moving children but claims it is for their safety and family reunification.
- Who
- Ukrainian children, Russia, Ukraine's human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, Regional Center for Human Rights (RCHR)
- What
- Allegations of Ukrainian children being sent to North Korea for re-education
- When
- Since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022
- Where
- Occupied Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, and North Korea
- Why
- Ukraine claims it is for re-education; Russia claims it is for safety and family reunification
- Ukrainian Children
- Thousands abducted by Russia
- Destination
- North Korea
- Purpose
- Re-education
- Camps
- 165 reported
- Ukrainian Claim
- Almost 20,000 children abducted since 2022
- Russian Assertion
- Children moved for safety and family reunification
- Specific Camp
- Songdowon summer camp
- Teaching Content
- Destroy Japanese militarists