In a recent report released by the Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) at Yale School of Public Health, Belarus has been implicated in the forcible transfer of thousands of Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied territories. The research suggests that this program has been "directly overseen" by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, in collaboration with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to the report, at least 2,442 children between the ages of six and 17 have been taken to 13 facilities across Belarus since Russia initiated its full-scale invasion in February 2022 until the end of October this year. The children were reportedly transported from occupied Ukraine through Russia to Belarus, where they have been subjected to re-education, and in some cases, military training.

The researchers at Yale HRL highlighted that President Lukashenko, a close ally of Putin, has jointly directed and co-funded these deportations under the Union State initiative, which was established in 1996. Various pro-Russia and pro-regime organizations have facilitated the deportations.

The involvement of Belarus in the forced deportation of children represents a collaboration between Lukashenko and Putin, with the aim of targeting children from Ukraine. This action is in violation of international humanitarian law, which prohibits the transfer of children under the age of 18 across borders without the consent of a parent or guardian.

Belarus's alleged involvement in this policy is currently being investigated by Ukraine, as it estimates that around 19,000 children have been abducted. In September, Belarusian state media published photos of Ukrainian children arriving in the country from occupied regions, claiming it was for a "three-week holiday." However, the seriousness of the situation is apparent, as the children were seen carrying backpacks and suitcases, looking solemn.

The head of the charity leading the program, Alexei Talai, described it as an "important humanitarian project" that needs to continue and was mentioned as a facilitator in the Yale HRL report. These revelations have brought forth further condemnation from the international community. The US State Department issued a statement, stating that these acts of forced deportation are part of a broader campaign directed by Russia. The US will continue to seek accountability for those involved in these abuses connected to Russia's war against Ukraine.

Moscow, however, denies any allegations of involvement in forcible transfers or separating children from their families. The Yale HRL report reveals that the children were taken from various cities in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia regions, all of which are partly occupied by Russia. They were then transported via trains to Rostov-on-Don in Russia before being moved to Belarus.

The researchers acknowledged that it remains unclear how many of the documented children are still in Belarus. The seriousness of these revelations emphasizes the urgency for international action to address these alleged human rights violations and protect the well-being of the affected Ukrainian children.