By Amr Gohar
WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul delivered a stark warning during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, condemning Russia’s mass abduction and indoctrination of Ukrainian children as “evil in its purest form.”
McCaul urged that any peace agreement must require Russia to return all abducted children, stressing that Moscow has taken at least 20,000 Ukrainian minors, with experts believing the true number is far higher. Up to one million children in occupied territories remain vulnerable to forced indoctrination and abuse.
According to evidence shown to McCaul by Ukraine’s ambassador and the group Save Ukraine, children are stripped of their identities, tortured, and forced to memorize Kremlin propaganda. Many are enrolled in Russia’s militarized youth programs — more than 43,000 so far — and some have even been sent to the frontlines.
McCaul highlighted reports that Russia has allocated $7 billion for youth militarization initiatives in its 2026–2028 budget.
“This is good versus evil,” McCaul said. “No child should ever face this kind of barbarism.”
He warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin continues these abuses while making no concessions in negotiations.
Calling the crisis both a moral and national security imperative, McCaul insisted Congress must ensure a strong security agreement for Ukraine and hold those responsible accountable.
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