Vladimir Putin says he "took them out" of conflict area to save children, denies forced separations

Russian President Vladimir Putin has argued that the removal of Ukrainian children to Russia was a rescue operation, denying that families were forcibly broken apart. Ukrainian officials have recorded over 20,000 minors transferred to Russia since the full-scale invasion began, with only 2,404 returned as of late July. Journalists and legal experts documented cases where children were separated from parents during mandatory security screenings in occupied areas. A United Nations commission concluded that these transfers amount to a crime against humanity, part of a deliberate state policy. The conflicting accounts highlight a central dispute over Russia's treatment of Ukrainian civilians and its compliance with international law.