Yale researchers map 210 Russian camps holding Ukrainian children

WISE NEWS PRESS / NEW HAVEN, USA — Nov. 25, 2025

Researchers at Yale University have uncovered a vast network of 210 re-education and military camps across Russia where abducted Ukrainian children are being held, utilizing advanced satellite imagery and open-source intelligence.

The Yale Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL), commissioned by the US State Department in 2022 to track the alleged abductions, initially faced what seemed like an impossible task. However, the breakthrough came from an unexpected source: the digital footprints left by Russian officials themselves.

'Selfies' exposed camp locations

According to Nathaniel Raymond, director of the lab, local Russian officials inadvertently provided critical clues. "Local Russian officials shared selfie photos where some Ukrainian children were also visible. While doing so, they forgot to turn off the geolocation feature on their phones," Raymond told AFP.

By analyzing these geolocated images alongside satellite data, the team was able to pinpoint the exact locations of the facilities. This digital trail led to the identification of 210 distinct camps spread throughout Russian territory, revealing the scale of the operation.

36,000 children estimated to be abducted

The lab estimates that approximately 36,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly taken to Russia since the conflict began. These findings have been shared with Ukrainian authorities and relevant European institutions to aid in accountability efforts.

In 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing the unlawful deportation of children as a primary charge.

Raymond warned that Moscow is now attempting to "clean up the crime scene" by moving children to new, unidentified facilities to evade detection.

Meanwhile, the future of this critical research hangs in the balance. The HRL faces the risk of ceasing operations by the end of the year due to potential funding cuts announced by the incoming Donald Trump administration.

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