The drama of the more than 16 thousand minors appropriated by Russia: “If they see a child without a family, they take him away”

A few weeks ago, Ukrainian MP Lesia Zaburanna denounced that more than 16,000 Ukrainian children have been illegally deported to Russia since the invasion of Ukraine began.

Against this background, the Russian journalist Kirill Martynov, Nobel Peace Prize winner, spoke with Carolina Amoroso on TN International and assured that “what Russia does with children is criminal.”

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In relation to the complaint for the appropriation of minors, Martynov remarked that “the Russian Federation sees the occupied territories as new Russian territories.” Given this, he explained that “if they see a child without a family, they take him and take him into Russia to leave them under care and protection.”

However, he maintained: “Basically what they are doing is trying to prevent these children from being in Ukraine.”

Ukraine denounced that more than 16,000 children were appropriated. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka, File)By: AP

The Nobel laureate clarified that “many Russians believe in the national traditionalist culture and try to educate children to support this war.” Faced with this situation, he pointed out that “it is an incredible and insane level of thought that has been found in each of the crimes in the war”, but that “Russian propaganda is very proud of that”.

Asked if he would classify the invasion as genocide, he stated that yes, although it is still a matter of investigation, but that Ukrainian citizens have the right to say so.

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“If you look at it from the point of view of Russian propaganda on TV they will say that there is no genocide and that what they are doing is stopping the Ukrainians and leaving it under Russian control,” he added.

Violations of Human Rights in Russia

Pavel Andreyev, Nobel Peace Prize winner and member of the NGO Memoria, which today documents violations of Human Rights and civil liberties in Russia, also spoke with the host of TN Internacional and questioned the terrible situation that his compatriots are experiencing.

“We see torture of people, violations of Human Rights, for example, the rights of the LGBT community are totally prohibited,” he remarked.

Pavel Andreyev, Russian activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner. (Photo: TN International)

He also remarked that in Russia there are not only attacks on civilians or journalists, but also on powerful celebrities who oppose the war. “One of the most popular singers was labeled a foreign agent for having another point of view on the invasion of Ukraine,” he detailed.

In relation to his humanitarian work and the violent situations that surround him, he confessed to fearing for his life. “I think that every day in Russia you are at risk,” he opened up.

“It’s not just shots at Ukraine, it’s against the future, the future of my friends,” he said, adding: “I think it’s very important to say that there are different opinions within the country, but it would be very good for Russians to be aware of what that happens and we need to give society a chance”, he clarified.