Growing up in Crimea under Russian rule, Matvii Chos was concerned about being conscripted into the Russian military once he turned 18. To avoid this fate, Chos enrolled at a university in Moscow and later escaped from Russia with the assistance of a Ukrainian non-profit organization.
According to Chos, the process of indoctrination and militarization began at an early age. He recalled undergoing special cadet classes in 2020 during his sixth-grade year, where he and other students were trained in various military skills such as weapon handling, marching, and tactical medicine. Chos described this as a deliberate effort by Russia to groom future soldiers to fight against fellow Ukrainians.
Chos emphasized that Russia’s actions in occupied territories involved the abduction and manipulation of children to serve as Russian soldiers. The international community has expressed alarm over the militarization of children in these regions and called for the safe return of Ukrainian children forcibly taken into Russia.
The experiences shared by Chos are not unique, as many young Ukrainians in Russian-controlled territories have faced similar indoctrination and military training. The suppression of Ukrainian language and culture, along with the imposition of Russian values, has been a common practice in these areas.
The forced separation of Ukrainian children from their families and their transfer to Russian territory has raised significant concerns globally. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned this act as “mass kidnapping,” with reports of abuse and coercion in Russian re-education camps.
Ukrainian officials estimate that around 20,000 children have been unlawfully deported by Russia since the invasion began in February 2022, with only a fraction returned so far. Charges have been brought against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova at the International Criminal Court for their involvement in these actions.
Efforts to bring back abducted Ukrainian children and support their reintegration have been a top priority for countries like Canada. Organizations like Save Ukraine have played a crucial role in identifying and rescuing kidnapped children, with a focus on providing psychological support and aiding in their return to normalcy.
As the situation continues to unfold, the urgency to rescue abducted children and restore their lives to normalcy is paramount. Mykola Kuleba, founder of Save Ukraine, emphasized the importance of swift action to prevent further harm to these children who have been forcibly thrust into conflict.
Chos and his wife, Daria Tomashova, who were rescued by Save Ukraine, shared their harrowing experiences at an international conference in Toronto. While they managed to escape, they highlighted the plight of many other children still trapped in similar situations.
The ongoing efforts to address the abduction and indoctrination of Ukrainian children require continued international cooperation and support to ensure their safe return and recovery.
