‘I wanted to live’: A Ukrainian orphan’s journey through Russian occupation
Summary
Denys Kostev, a Ukrainian orphan, was forcibly moved from his home in Kherson to a camp in Russian-occupied Crimea during the war. To survive, he appeared in pro-Russian videos but has now escaped to Kyiv and is preparing to fight for Ukraine.Key Facts
- Denys Kostev was 18 and living in an orphanage in Kherson when Russia invaded Ukraine.
- He made videos supporting Russia to avoid punishment while in occupied Crimea.
- Kostev was forced to stay at a summer camp in Crimea with other orphans, where they were isolated and exposed to Russian propaganda.
- Around 4,000 children were taken from orphanages in Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine.
- Ukraine reports nearly 20,000 children have been moved to Russia and claims they are being "brainwashed."
- The Russian government says the children were moved for their safety and denies illegal abductions.
- Human rights groups call the alleged abductions and re-education of Ukrainian children a serious crime during the war.
- More than 2,600 children have been returned to Ukraine so far.
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