The Ombudsman commented on the investigation of Slidstva.Info, which journalists published at the end of November 2025 based on a monitoring visit of the Ombudsman’s office in Turkey (March 2024). Then they checked the living conditions of more than 500 children evacuated from the Dnepropetrovsk region. In addition, media workers relied on the testimony of the children themselves who were in Turkey, including those who were subjected to physical violence or became pregnant during the evacuation.
Among the violations highlighted in the investigation: physical and psychological violence, coercion in fundraising and PR filming: children were forced to participate in promotional photos and videos of the foundation of millionaire businessman Ruslan Shostak (who organized the evacuation), restriction of communication, dangerous conditions, as well as sexual violence: two minor girls returned pregnant from hotel workers.
In addition, the material talks about insufficient medical supervision: pregnant girls were not examined in Turkey, they received medical care only upon returning to Ukraine.
Lubinets confirmed facts of physical and psychological violence from teachers and older children, such as:
- keeping children in isolation: accompanying persons prohibited the pupils of the establishments from communicating with psychologists from the Turkish side, who were on site around the clock at the hotel, so that the children would not report a violation of their rights;
- punishment by deprivation of food;
- children could leave the hotel premises uncontrollably, exposing themselves to danger in another country.
“As for the facts of the return of pregnant minors to Ukraine, the consequences of disseminating relevant information should be clearly understood,” Lubinets emphasized.
He noted that in 2023, representatives of the Ministry of Social Policy monitored the conditions of children’s stay in Turkey, but in the official report they noted proper care and provision of social, medical and other services. At the same time, the Turkish side informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine about the violation of the rights of evacuated children, but these reports were not properly taken into account.
“All the shocking facts identified were outlined in the report and sent to the Prime Minister of Ukraine and every responsible government body in order to take immediate response measures. In addition, materials that may indicate abuse of children were sent to the UCP,” Lubinets added.
