Denys Kostev, a teenager from the occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol, has shared his account of being moved to Russian-controlled territory following the 2022 invasion. Kostev states that he was among a group of orphans transferred away from the city, a process he describes as forced relocation. According to his testimony, he was placed in an environment where he faced significant pressure to adopt pro-Russian views and participate in public campaigns supporting the Russian occupation.

Kostev’s account highlights the broader, contentious issue of the transfer of Ukrainian children during the ongoing conflict. While Kostev describes his experience as a coerced removal intended to strip him of his Ukrainian identity, Russian authorities have consistently maintained that these transfers are humanitarian efforts designed to protect children from active combat zones. Kostev eventually managed to escape the territory, though the specific logistics of his departure remain a sensitive aspect of his narrative. His story serves as a personal lens into the allegations of illegal deportations that have been raised by international human rights organizations and the Ukrainian government, which argue that these actions constitute a violation of international law. The Russian government denies these allegations, framing the relocations as voluntary and protective measures for minors caught in the crossfire.