‘All Those Responsible For These Heinous Crimes [Must Be] Punished’ – Ukraine at War Update for Dec. 4

A new Yale report reveals Russia’s direct involvement in the deportation and “Russification” of 314 Ukrainian children, with evidence supporting potential charges of crimes against humanity. Meanwhile, NATO resists Ukraine’s membership push and ongoing heavy fighting sees Ukrainian forces repel intense Russian assaults across multiple sectors.

The ‘Russification’ of Ukrainian Children

A new report from Yale University has uncovered evidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his government were directly involved in a systematic program aimed at deporting Ukrainian children to Russia. The research, funded by the US State Department, identifies 314 Ukrainian children taken from Russian-occupied territories in the early months of the war. These children were then placed with Russian families as part of a broader Kremlin-backed “Russification” effort, according to Reuters.

The research details how Russian state resources, including presidential aircraft, were used to transport the children to Russia, where they were stripped of their Ukrainian identity and subjected to state-backed propaganda.

Yale’s lead researcher, Nathaniel Raymond, confirmed that this program is part of a systematic effort to assimilate Ukrainian children into Russian society. This process fits the definition of forced transfer under international law.

Raymond added that the findings provide crucial evidence that could lead to additional charges against Putin for the "forcible transfer" of children, a crime against humanity.

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In March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for both Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s Commissioner for Children's Rights, for their role in the deportation of Ukrainian children. The Yale report offers new evidence to support the ICC’s investigation, which focuses on the claim that these deportations were not only unlawful but part of a broader Russian campaign to erase Ukrainian identity. Crimes against humanity, such as forced transfers, are considered more serious than war crimes under international law.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to the report, reaffirming Ukraine’s commitment to bringing the children back and holding those responsible accountable. “Ukraine is tirelessly working to ensure our children return home and that all those responsible for these heinous crimes are punished,” Zelensky said in a statement.

The report also highlights that Russian military aircraft, under the direct control of Putin’s office, were used to transport children from occupied territories to Russia. After arrival, the children were either placed with Russian families or placed in institutions, where they were exposed to “patriotic re-education.”

According to former US Ambassador for War Crimes, Stephen Rapp, the findings provide clear evidence of the Russian government’s direct involvement in this illegal program, which was facilitated by changes to Russian law that allowed these forced adoptions.

NATO Dodges Ukraine’s Push for Membership

Ukraine’s call for NATO membership as its “only real guarantee” of security faced resistance on Tuesday, as foreign ministers from NATO and Kyiv's government met without making any concrete commitments ahead of Donald Trump's anticipated return to the US presidency.

Following a high-level dinner between Ukraine and the alliance’s 32 member states, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis acknowledged that no progress had been made in discussions. “There was no progress,” he said, reflecting the deadlock surrounding Ukraine’s aspirations for NATO membership.

Ukraine’s foreign ministry reiterated its position, asserting that “the only real guarantee of security for Ukraine, as well as a deterrent to further Russian aggression against Ukraine and other states, is Ukraine's full membership in NATO.”

However, NATO’s two most influential members, the United States and Germany, have long hesitated to grant Ukraine membership, fearing it could provoke direct confrontation with Russia. Ukrainian diplomats had hoped that with President Biden’s administration nearing its end, and with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s political future uncertain ahead of upcoming elections, NATO could be more flexible.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated before the meeting, “We need security guarantees that really work,” underlining Kyiv's urgent need for Western assurances. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken did not indicate a policy shift, with US officials privately signaling that the Biden administration is unlikely to support Ukraine’s NATO membership. The fear is that any formal offer of NATO membership would be rescinded by the incoming Trump administration.

As Trump prepares for his return to the White House, discussions over Ukraine’s NATO aspirations have become more fraught. Trump’s new special envoy to the Ukraine war, Keith Kellogg, has suggested that Ukraine may have to shelve its long-standing NATO ambitions as part of a potential peace deal with Russia, while still securing alternative security guarantees.

In response, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte dismissed questions about Ukraine's membership, focusing instead on what Ukraine “needs to get to a position of strength when those peace talks start.” Rutte emphasized that NATO’s priority should remain on providing weapons to Ukraine rather than debating the terms of peace, saying, “Make sure that Ukraine has what it needs to get to a position of strength.”

Discussions have begun regarding the deployment of European troops to enforce peace if a deal is reached. Baerbock confirmed that Germany would “support everything that serves peace.” However, Kyiv remains wary, with Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stating that Russia’s territorial gains are part of a broader strategy to strengthen its position in future negotiations.

Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to press for increased military aid from its allies. The US announced a new $725 million military package on Monday, but Kyiv has called for additional support, specifically requesting 20 more air defense systems, including those capable of countering Russia’s new Oreshnik experimental ballistic missiles.

Ukraine Repels Heavy Russian Assaults as Drone Strikes Intensify

On December 3, 2024, Ukrainian forces reported 180 combat engagements across multiple sectors, with heavy Russian losses, particularly in the Pokrovsk sector, according to the update the Ukrainian General Staff shared on Tuesday. 

“The situation in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove sectors remains tense, with the enemy focusing its primary offensive efforts there,” the report stated. “Additionally, Russian forces actively attacked today in the Vremivka and Kupiansk sectors.”

Throughout the day, Russian forces intensified their attacks on Ukrainian positions. According to the General Staff, the enemy launched 42 airstrikes, deploying 47 guided bombs. In addition, 650 kamikaze drones were used in strikes, and there were nearly 4,000 shelling incidents, targeting both military and civilian areas.

In the Kharkiv sector, Russian forces attempted six assaults on Ukrainian positions near Vovchansk, Hlyboke, and Kozacha Lopan. These attacks were unsuccessful, and preliminary reports estimate that 58 Russian soldiers were killed or injured. Ukrainian forces also destroyed two Russian vehicles and downed seven drones, while damaging a tank, two artillery systems, and three enemy vehicles. Ukrainian forces also successfully countered 20 enemy attacks in Russia’s Kursk region, with six clashes still underway.

Key Developments on the Frontlines:

• Kupiansk sector: Russian forces launched 16 attacks, with Ukraine's Defense Forces successfully repelling 10 assaults near Lozova, Stelmakhivka, Kolisnykivka, and Pershotravneve. Six clashes are still ongoing in this area.
• Lyman sector: Russian forces made nine attacks on Ukrainian positions near Pershotravneve, Novoyehorivka, Hrekivka, Yampolivka, and Terny.
• Kramatorsk sector: Ukrainian troops repelled three assaults near Stupochky, Bila Hora, and Chasiv Yar, while Russian aviation carried out airstrikes on Kostiantynivka.
• Toretsk sector: Russian troops attempted three attacks near Toretsk and Nelipivka, but all were repelled by Ukrainian forces.
• Pokrovsk sector: The fiercest fighting occurred in this sector, where 44 Russian attacks were launched, primarily in the areas of Myroliubivka, Lysivka, Promin, Dachenske, Chumatske, and Novopustynka. Preliminary estimates suggest that 395 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded in this sector alone. Ukrainian forces destroyed seven armored vehicles, two artillery systems, three motorcycles, and one enemy vehicle. Additional damage was inflicted on a tank, artillery system, and another armored vehicle.
• Kurakhove sector: Russian forces launched 38 attacks, with four ongoing engagements. Fighting is concentrated around Sontsivka, Zoria, Dalnie, Kurakhove, Yelyzavetivka, and Hannivka.
• Vremivka sector: Russian forces launched 23 assaults on Ukrainian defensive lines in areas like Kostiantynopolske, Sukhi Yaly, Rozdolne, Makarivka, and Novodarivka, with six clashes still ongoing.
• Orikhiv sector: Ukrainian forces repelled four attacks near Robotyne, Novodanylivka, and Novoandriivka.
• Prydniprovske sector: Five attempted attacks by Russian forces were all repelled by Ukrainian defenders.