Today, on January 31st, the documentary film Children from Occupation: Donetsk, Mariupol, Crimea produced by The Reckoning Project premiered on Current Time TV. The film follows the lives of three teenagers who grew up in Ukrainian territories temporarily-occupied by Russia.
They share their firsthand experiences of life under wartime conditions, including re-education programs, indoctrination in Russian-controlled schools, the militarization of their lives, and the forced displacement of Ukrainians.
The Three Protagonists
Mariya
From Donetsk
Lived in Donetsk for 8 years, graduated high school and college under occupation. Teachers pressured her to adopt Russian identity. Left after the 2022 full-scale invasion.
Sasha
From Mariupol
Witnessed Russian occupation firsthand near Mariupol. Endured a year of living under Russian control before fleeing to escape forced conscription into the Russian army.
Nina
From Kherson Region
Forcibly displaced to occupied Crimea at age 15 without her mother's knowledge. Forced to attend military training classes under Russian occupation.
The Geneva Convention explicitly prohibits forced displacement and deportation – these acts are considered war crimes.
Broadcasting to Counter Disinformation
Broadcasting to Russian-speaking audiences is crucial for countering Kremlin disinformation and propaganda. Independent media sources play a vital role in providing accurate information and alternative perspectives.
Current Time TV
Current Time TV, a 24/7 TV channel created by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty with the participation of Voice of America, was strategically selected for its reach and impact on Russian-speaking populations worldwide, including in Russia, Ukraine, Central Asia, and other regions.
Current Time TV hosted the screening of the documentary, recognizing its profound importance for their audience.
The Scale of the Crisis
International Criminal Court Action
In 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued two arrest warrants against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova for the war crime of deporting Ukrainian children from the occupied territories of Ukraine.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by Russia in 1990, guarantees the preservation of the identity of the population in the occupied territories. However, the Ukrainian language, symbols, culture are banned in the occupied territories, any manifestations of them are physically persecuted, which is a violation of a number of human rights enshrined in international conventions and declarations.
Tetyana
Featured in the documentary, recounting her experiences teaching children remotely in Ukraine's occupied regions
Our Mission Continues
The Reckoning Project continues to document and expose Russia's systematic violations of international law, including abduction and indoctrination of Ukrainian children. This documentary is a part of our broader mission to ensure accountability for these crimes and to amplify the voices of those directly affected.