A Covert Network Described As An “underground Railroad
A covert network described as an “underground railroad” is being used to rescue Ukrainian children taken to Russia and Russian-controlled territories, according to Mykola Kuleba, founder of Save Ukraine. Kuleba said the group’s secretive methods have drawn criticism from some international organizations, which argue that a formal mechanism between Kyiv and Moscow should be established to return the children
- Secret negotiations and coordination across borders
- Covert travel routes through multiple countries
- Volunteers working discreetly to locate and extract children
Organizers say the approach is necessary because no formal agreement exists between Ukraine and Russia for the return of deported children. The network has already helped bring back hundreds of children, many of whom were transferred during the ongoing war.
- Unofficial operations may lack transparency
- A formal diplomatic framework could ensure safer, more consistent returns
However, Kuleba insists that waiting for such a system has proven ineffective, forcing humanitarian groups to act independently.
Rescues often involve significant danger and planning.
- Escape surveillance in occupied territories
- Travel long distances under false pretenses
- Pass through checkpoints without raising suspicion
One teenager described carefully staging his departure to avoid detection, highlighting the risks involved in each mission.
Save Ukraine says it has returned over a thousand children since the start of the full-scale invasion, though many more remain in Russian-controlled areas. Advocates warn that the longer children remain away, the harder it becomes to reunite them with their families due to:
- Identity changes and documentation issues
- Exposure to different education systems
- Psychological pressure and propaganda
The issue of deported Ukrainian children has become one of the most sensitive humanitarian concerns of the war, with Ukraine and its allies pushing for international action.
Until a formal agreement is reached, groups like Save Ukraine say they will continue operating in the shadows to bring children home.
