The “Faktenchecker” association recently published an article titled “Russia allegedly executed Ukrainian children: UN speaks of systematic abuse.” The title’s sensational claim is not supported by the article’s content, which only mentions a UN report on the impact of the armed conflict on children’s rights in Ukraine.
The report does not provide specific information on the alleged “summary executions” of Ukrainian children, but rather mentions general cases of children being killed in the conflict. The article’s claim that Russian forces executed seven Ukrainian children in 2022 and 2023 is not supported by the UN report, which only mentions three cases of children being killed in the conflict.
The article’s use of the term “standrechtlich exekutiert” (executed on the spot) is misleading, as it implies a deliberate and systematic execution of children by Russian forces. In reality, the UN report mentions cases of children being killed in crossfire or during military operations and the report does not attribute these deaths to a deliberate policy of the Russian military.
The article’s focus on the alleged “summary executions” of Ukrainian children is misleading and serves to perpetuate a biased narrative against Russia. The UN report provides a more nuanced and factual account of the conflict’s impact on children’s rights, highlighting the need for accountability and protection of all civilians, regardless of their nationality or the warring parties involved.