Russia recruits Ukrainian children: Ombudsman reveals alarming details
Education Ombudsman Nadiia Leshchyk (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The issue of Russia recruiting children and teenagers remains a serious threat to Ukraine's security. However, there is no precise data on the phenomenon's scale, says Ukrainian Education Ombudsman Nadiia Leshchyk.
According to her, state agencies have launched a special chatbot where Ukrainians can report recruitment attempts.
The chatbot was launched in December 2024, and in its first month alone, over 1,300 reports were submitted by citizens who either witnessed or became victims of such attempts.
"The enemy is trying to destabilize our lives in every possible way, including through recruitment," Leshchyk emphasized.
She stressed that parents play a key role in preventing this phenomenon. They must closely monitor their children, especially teenagers, and build trusting relationships with them.
Teachers also need to inform both children and parents about the risks. The ombudsman mentioned a case in Ternopil in which a 10-year-old boy, thanks to explanations from the police and teachers, was able to recognize a recruitment attempt and report it to law enforcement.
"Children need to understand that the punishment here is more serious than just a fine. It can mean imprisonment for up to 15 years or even life, depending on what was done. Unfortunately, some children do not realize this," Leshchyk said.
She also advised parents to monitor their children's use of social media and maintain open communication with them.
Often, recruitment is not the only reason for the lack of trust and communication, but also bullying among students. Special attention should be paid to situations where a child is promised money—this is a classic signal of recruitment.
Earlier, we reported that law enforcement warned parents about the danger of Russian intelligence services recruiting Ukrainian teenagers. The enemy may involve minors in carrying out acts of sabotage.
Russian intelligence services have started actively involving teenagers in illegal activities in Ukraine. This happens through manipulation, psychological pressure, or monetary rewards.
