After a Russian strike on Vyshneve on July 6, which damaged around 300 homes, 110 children from the community were sent for recuperation to the state-run “Artek” camp in the Transcarpathian region. The program, supported by the Ministry of Social Policy, the State Service for Children, Kyiv Oblast Administration, and the Vyshneve city authorities, promised the children five meals a day, psychological support, and various sports and creative activities.
However, reports from RBC-Ukraine indicate that parents soon began to voice concerns regarding the conditions at the camp. Complaints included unsanitary conditions, inadequate room and bathroom facilities, a lack of showers and toilets, insufficient furniture, and poor organization of leisure activities. In Vyshneve, a petition for an official inspection of the camp is currently being circulated.
The initial claims about inadequate conditions were made public by local resident Nika Khorunzhaya on Facebook, although she later deleted her post. Despite this, the situation gained significant attention on social media.
According to the prosecutor’s office, the juvenile prosecutor from the Khust District Prosecutor’s Office, along with representatives from juvenile prevention and local child services, has already spoken with the children and the camp’s administration to ascertain the circumstances.
To address the media reports, the prosecutor’s office has initiated appropriate inspections to evaluate the living conditions, food quality, fire safety, and other regulatory compliance at the facility. Should any violations be confirmed, the responsible parties will face legal repercussions.
The situation has also drawn a response from Denis Uliutin, the Minister of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine, who announced that his ministry has launched an investigation conducted by the National Social Service of Ukraine. “International Children’s Center ‘Artek’ is a state facility participating in the children’s recuperation program. The Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine funds this program from the state budget. Accordingly, we are authorized and will monitor the quality of service provided. We will report on the results of the inspection once it is completed. The interests of children are our unconditional priority,” the minister stated.
