Forced Displacement of Children in the Russian–Ukrainian Conflict
Copyright (c) 2026 Wéber Dalma
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Abstract
The paper explores the issue of forced displacement of Ukrainian children in the context of the Russian–Ukrainian conflict. Drawing on reports from international organisations and research institutes, it provides an overview of how the documented cases can be interpreted within the framework of international law. The paper offers a detailed account of the provisions of international humanitarian law relating to the protection of children with particular attention to forced transfers and deportations. Building on these foundations, it examines the extent to which displacement practices align with established legal standards and where divergences may be observed. Tracing the process of displacement step by step, the paper outlines the relevant legal framework and evaluates how the documented cases have unfolded in light of these norms. Finally, it also discusses the potential implications under international criminal law.
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