48 Ukrainian children reportedly forced into psychiatric treatment for “extremism” in russian-occupied Donetsk

In the temporarily occupied areas of Donetsk Oblast, 48 Ukrainian children are reportedly being subjected to forced psychiatric treatment on accusations of “extremism.”

russia’s stated goals for its “special military operation” target not only Ukraine but also the United States and the broader Western world. russian strategic documents consistently portray Ukraine as the main source of extremist threats, indicating that moscow’s campaign is likely to continue until it achieves its objectives. In pursuit of these goals, occupying forces are carrying out measures framed as a “fight against extremism,” often justified under the pretext of maintaining public order. Children and adolescents are among those under the occupiers’ close surveillance.

Mariia Krasnenko, an expert at the Centre of Civil Education Almenda NGO and author of a recent report, outlined these developments at a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine.

“In the temporarily occupied territories, the occupiers employ all possible means of systematic persecution, targeting children and young people in particular. Education and state youth policies are central to their efforts to suppress extremism. This extends to occupied areas as well. The enemy has established clear criteria to identify and monitor ‘dissenters.’ According to the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, 161 minors have been held criminally accountable, 48 of whom have been placed in compulsory psychiatric treatment,” Krasnenko said.

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