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Missing Ukrainian Boy From Kherson Region Found Serving in Russian Army
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Ukrainian officials reported the first documented case of a child listed as missing in the official "Children of War " registry later being identified as a serviceman in the Russian armed forces.
The case involves Oleksandr Mustyatse, a native of the village of Krynky in the Kherson region, according to Mykola Kuleba, the Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights on July 30.
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Mustyatse disappeared in Krynky during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and remained on the government list of missing children for a long period. Authorities later discovered that he was already serving within the ranks of the Russian military.
On his page, he published photos in a uniform bearing the “Z” symbol, the Russian flag, and even from positions where he fought against Ukraine. Later, he appeared in a medical bandage, likely after being wounded.
Presidential Commissioner Mykola Kuleba stated that this case demonstrates the severe effects of life under Russian occupation, where young people spend years immersed in a Russian informational and educational environment.
"Together with the Save Ukraine team, I regularly communicate with children and families whom we manage to rescue from the occupied territories. They tell how, starting from kindergarten and school, they are accustomed to the cult of the army," stated Mykola Kuleba.
"They are forced to participate in military-patriotic events, join 'Yunarmiya', taught how to handle weapons, and convinced that Ukraine is the enemy. For a child who lives for years only in such a reality, war becomes not just the norm, but a duty," he added.
According to Kuleba, time spent under occupation actively works against Ukrainian children. He noted the vital importance of assisting families from temporarily occupied areas so they can relocate to territory controlled by Ukraine.
By July 2025, Ukraine had documented over 19,500 cases of children abducted by Russia, though only about 1,366 had been successfully returned to Ukrainian-controlled territory.
Experts noted that many of these children faced severe circumstances, including forced placement in adoption programs, military schools, or psychiatric institutions.
The Kremlin systematically stripped young Ukrainians of their identities, forced them into Russian-led educational and propaganda programs, and subjected them to military training—ultimately preparing older minors to serve in the Russian armed forces.
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