A 17-year-old Ukrainian orphan named Bogdan Yermokhin, who was moved from Ukraine to Russia, is now at risk of being conscripted into the Russian army. Bogdan had initially tried to return to Ukraine in March but was stopped by Russian border guards. Now, as he approaches his 18th birthday, he has received orders to report to a draft center in Moscow next month. This situation raises concerns about the well-being of Ukrainian children living in Russian-occupied areas and the potential violation of international law.
Bogdan’s journey began in 2014 when he became orphaned. He had been living with a foster family in Mariupol, a port city in Ukraine. However, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the seizure of Mariupol in 2022, Bogdan found himself in Russia under unclear circumstances. Russian soldiers claimed to have found Ukrainian children “in cellars” during their brutal siege on the city, according to Russia’s children’s rights commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova. Ukraine has accused Russia of illegally deporting Ukrainian children to Russia, which is considered a potential war crime. Ukraine has provided a list of nearly 20,000 children who have been forcefully transferred, but the actual number could be even higher.
Moscow denies Ukraine’s accusations and argues that the children were taken to Russia for their safety. However, in March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Ms. Lvova-Belova and President Vladimir Putin, stating that Russia’s intention was to permanently remove these children from their home country. Bogdan, along with a group of 30 Ukrainian children, was transferred to a youth summer camp in the Moscow region. As a result, he ended up under the care of a local foster family and obtained Russian documents. He continued his studies at a college in Russia and worked in a summer camp aimed at integrating teenagers from Russian-occupied Ukraine, according to Maria Lvova-Belova.
Despite having Russian documents, Bogdan recently received Russian call-up papers, indicating that he may be conscripted into the Russian army. While his legal guardian in Russia believes he is not at risk due to being a student, there have been instances of new recruits being sent to the front line in the ongoing war in Ukraine, despite Russian authorities claiming otherwise. The situation is further complicated by the fact that issuing documents in occupied territories is considered illegal under international law. Ukraine maintains that Bogdan Yermokhin remains a Ukrainian citizen, making the Russian military summons illegal.
This case highlights the challenges faced by Ukrainian children in Russian-occupied areas and raises concerns about their safety and well-being. It also raises questions about the legality of issuing documents and conscripting individuals from occupied territories. The international community, including Ukraine, must address these issues and ensure the protection of Ukrainian children caught in the conflict.
As Bogdan approaches his 18th birthday, he will have more autonomy to share his experiences and plans. It is crucial to listen to his perspective and ensure that his rights are protected. The situation also underscores the importance of resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and finding peaceful solutions that prioritize the well-being of children and civilians.
