**US-Funded Initiative Documenting Russia’s Abduction of Ukrainian Children to Shut Down**
A crucial initiative that has been documenting Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children is set to shut down due to lack of funding. The Humanitarian Research Lab, based at Yale University, had been spearheading the Ukraine Conflict Observatory since its launch in May 2022.
**Funding Cuts by Trump Administration**
The lab’s executive director, Nathaniel Raymond, told CNN that the initiative was facing a severe financial crisis. “Right now, we are running on fumes,” he said. The project relied heavily on funding from the US State Department and other organizations to continue its work. However, with the termination of this funding by the Trump administration, the lab has been forced to shut down.
**Data Transferred to US Government and Ukraine**
As the initiative comes to a close, the lab has transferred all its data to the US State Department and Ukraine’s government. This includes records on over 30,000 Ukrainian children allegedly abducted by Russia from more than 100 locations. The database also contains evidence of Russian war crimes, including the deportation of Ukrainian children.
**Major Gap in Accountability Efforts**
Experts have expressed concern that the shutdown of this initiative leaves a significant gap in accountability efforts. “The Conflict Observatory’s work cannot be replaced by Europol or other organizations,” said a bipartisan group of US lawmakers in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The lawmakers urged the administration to restore funding for the program.
**Concerns Over Repatriation of Abducted Children**
Ukrainian leaders have emphasized that repatriating abducted children is a non-negotiable condition for any future peace deal with Moscow. However, only around 1,300 of the abducted children have been brought home so far. Many others remain unidentified due to deliberate efforts by Russian authorities to obscure their identities.
**ICC Issues Arrest Warrants**
In 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and children’s rights ombudsman Maria Lvova-Belova over their roles in the deportation of Ukrainian minors. The shutdown of this initiative comes at a critical time when accountability efforts are needed more than ever.
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