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US reduces probe financing to Russia’s forced deportation of Ukrainian children

US reduces probe financing to Russia’s forced deportation of Ukrainian children

A critical investigation into Russia’s forced deportation of Ukrainian children, a key problem in any negotiation to end the war in Ukraine, was disturbed after the Trump administration defined a contract of the State Department with the researchers of the Yale University.

The Yale Humanity Research Laboratory has discovered extensive evidence to support the accusations of war crimes against Russia, claiming that thousands of Ukrainian children were taken by force and were placed with Russian families. The proof was used to accuse Russian President Vladimir Putin with international crimes.

Scripps News learned that the data, which were to be transferred to the European Union Agency for Cooperation for Law, are now in Limbo. Concerns are increasing on the fate of information, which seems to be stored on the servers of the secret state department.

Related story | Yale researchers pirated a Russian adoption database and found 148 stolen Ukrainian orphans

In the game it is not only the future pursuit of Putin for war crimes, but also justice for stolen children from Ukraine.

In December, Scripps News reported that Yale researchers have secretly accessed Russian adoption databases, following over 300 Ukrainian children. The report is considered the most detailed documentation so far of the alleged systematic deportation and the constrained adoption of the Ukrainian minors in the occupied regions of eastern Ukraine.

It is believed that Putin personally ordered the program.

Related story | Scripps News Investigate: A race to save Ukraine’s abducted orphans

Using Open-Source and Satellite information information, Yale’s laboratory followed how tall Russians and government aircraft were involved in children’s transport. The team presented the conclusions of the United Nations.

“Three hundred fourteen children from Ukraine were placed in this systematic program, directed by the Kremlin, by adoption and constrained encouragement,” said Nathaniel Raymond, executive director of the Yale Humanity Research Laboratory.

With the reduction of financing, the question remains: what will happen to the investigations and the efforts of criminal prosecution related to it?

This development comes as the US tries to ensure the cease of fire between Ukraine and Russia. President Donald Trump and Putin are scheduled to speak on Tuesday.