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Russian Red Cross Linked to Child Soldiers and Occupation in Ukraine, Investigation Reveals
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A major cross-border investigation has found that the Russian Red Cross (RRC) is deeply entangled in the Kremlin’s war machine, providing military training to children, partnering with pro-Kremlin propaganda networks, and expanding operations into Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. Despite this, the organisation continues to receive millions of euros from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, Follow the Money (FTM) reported on November 26.
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Investigators from FTM, Paper Trail Media, DER STANDARD, Delfi, Expressen and Meduza traced the RRC’s involvement in “Zarnitsa 2.0,” a nationwide military competition where children as young as eight crawl through trenches, assemble weapons and operate drones. Several regional Red Cross branches appear among the organisers, despite Red Cross principles explicitly prohibiting military engagement. The RRC is also collaborating with the Kremlin-backed patriotic youth organisation “Movement of the First,” whose supervisory board is chaired by Vladimir Putin.
Financial documents reviewed by reporters show that in 2024 the RRC received 6.5 million euros from the ICRC (“International Committee of the Red Cross”) and 7 million euros from the IFRC (“The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies”)—amounting to roughly a quarter of its annual budget. At the same time, the Kremlin delivered at least 7.7 million euros in direct state financing, including money earmarked for expanding RRC structures in occupied Ukrainian territories and replacing ICRC activities there.
The investigation reveals that new Red Cross entities have been established in occupied Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia regions, in violation of international rules stating that only the Ukrainian Red Cross or ICRC may operate in those areas. Public posts show staff in Red Cross jackets working alongside armed units such as SOBR Vostok-Donetsk, while children in occupied territories are evaluated by fighters presented as role models. Some of these organisations openly state they work “with the full support and cooperation” of the RRC.
International Red Cross bodies have not imposed disciplinary measures. Instead, the IFRC formed an “Oversight Group” which concluded that no punishment was needed, keeping RRC President Pavel Savchuk—an outspoken Kremlin loyalist—on its Governing Board. Both the ICRC and IFRC more than doubled their financial support to the RRC between 2022 and 2024.
The European Commission insists EU money is “firewalled” and does not reach the RRC, although neither European donors nor Red Cross institutions could fully clarify how much indirect funding may flow to Russia’s branch. Only Belgium, Czechia, Austria, Slovenia and Denmark firmly denied their contributions had reached the RRC.
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Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets called the RRC’s actions “a gross violation of Red Cross principles,” accusing the organisation of helping indoctrinate children for future military use. Analysts interviewed by FTM warn the RRC has “abandoned its neutrality” and now acts as an arm of the Russian state.
Experts say there are grounds for suspending or expelling the RRC from the Red Cross movement or imposing EU sanctions. But so far, despite growing concern from countries such as Denmark, Sweden and Estonia, no such steps have been taken. Meanwhile, RRC-branded competitions and military-aligned programmes continue across Russia and in occupied Ukrainian regions, including a major First Aid championship held in November involving participants from “89 regions”—which by definition includes the four occupied Ukrainian territories.
“The Russian Red Cross is carrying out the whims of a dictatorial regime,” Lubinets said, urging action as the organisation’s activities expand under the guise of humanitarian work.
Previously, it was reported that The International Red Cross movement has chosen not to suspend the membership of the RRC, despite concerns about potential breaches of neutrality regulations revealed by an investigation conducted by several international media outlets.
While the IFRC has the power to suspend members for such violations, they opted not to suspend the RRC. Instead, the IFRC created an oversight body and urged the RRC to address the allegations.
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