A new report by the Yale School of Public Health claims that major Russian state-owned energy companies may have been involved in the deportation and “re-education” of Ukrainian children, adding a new dimension to allegations of war crimes related to the conflict. According to the findings, companies such as Gazprom and Rosneft may have supported a network of camps to which Ukrainian minors were taken between 2022 and 2025.

The report states that more than 2,000 children were transferred to facilities in Russia and in occupied territories, where they were exposed to pro-Russian narratives and educational programs. Researchers argue that the involvement of major corporations included logistical assistance, funding, and organizational support, including through affiliated trade unions that facilitated the transfer of children to these camps.

The conclusions are based on an analysis of open-source information, including social media data, corporate records, and public statements, which, according to the authors, together provide “compelling” evidence of business involvement in a broader state-linked system.

Both Gazprom and Rosneft have denied the allegations, stating that any actions carried out by affiliated organizations, including trade unions, were independent and not directed by company leadership. However, critics of the Russian system argue that such distinctions are largely nominal, given the high level of state control over strategic sectors of the economy.

The report has already prompted a political response in the United States, where a bipartisan group of lawmakers is calling for tougher sanctions against these companies, arguing that their alleged role directly links Russia’s energy sector to violations of international humanitarian law.

The findings also align with broader international legal proceedings. The International Criminal Court has previously issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and the country’s commissioner for children’s rights, accusing them of the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children, which is classified as a war crime.

According to various estimates, thousands of Ukrainian children have been forcibly transferred since the start of the full-scale conflict, with some sources suggesting significantly higher figures and pointing to an extensive network of facilities involved in their relocation and ideological conditioning.

 

From an analytical perspective, the Yale report reflects a shift in how responsibility for alleged war crimes is understood, extending it beyond political and military leadership to include economic actors embedded within the state system. If confirmed, these findings could increase legal and sanctions pressure not only on individuals but also on key sectors of the Russian economy, particularly the energy sector, which remains central to state revenues and a tool of geopolitical influence. At the same time, the case highlights the growing role of open-source data and academic institutions in documenting wartime abuses.

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05.04.2026 09:49