Investigation reveals adoption of Ukrainian child by key Putin ally
In a shocking revelation, an investigation by BBC’s Panorama has uncovered evidence suggesting that a key political ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin has adopted a child who was seized from a Ukrainian children’s home. Sergey Mironov, the leader of a Russian political party, is named on the adoption record of a two-year-old girl who was taken in 2022 by a woman he is now married to. This discovery has raised concerns about the fate of the child and the alleged illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russian-controlled territory.
The Disappearance of Margarita:
Margarita, originally named Margarita, was just 10 months old when she was taken from the Kherson Regional Children’s Home in Ukraine. The home lost 48 children when Russian forces took control of the city. Margarita’s identity was changed in Russia, and she was adopted by Sergey Mironov’s wife, Inna Varlamova. The adoption record suggests that Margarita’s identity was deliberately altered to erase her Ukrainian origins.
The Allegations and Response:
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for President Vladimir Putin and his Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, for the alleged illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russian-controlled territory. The Russian government denies deporting Ukrainian children and claims to be evacuating them to provide protection from the war. However, the investigation by Panorama and Ukrainian human rights investigator Victoria Novikova has uncovered compelling evidence suggesting otherwise.
The Mysterious Woman in Lilac:
The investigation began when a woman in a lilac dress visited Margarita in the hospital where she was being treated for bronchitis. The woman introduced herself as “the head of children’s affairs from Moscow” and later demanded that Margarita be sent back to the children’s home. Witnesses recall Russian men, some in military-style attire, arriving to collect Margarita, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
The Midnight Train and Adoption Decrees:
Further investigation revealed that the woman in lilac, Inna Varlamova, arrived in occupied Ukraine on the same day Margarita was taken from the children’s home. She then left on a midnight train to Moscow, allegedly with Margarita. It was later discovered that Inna Varlamova had recently married Sergey Mironov, and they had adopted a child named “Marina” whose birth date coincided with Margarita’s. The adoption record shows that Margarita, now Marina Mironova, was born in Podolsk, Russia.
The Controversy and Reunification Efforts:
The Geneva Convention prohibits the deportation of civilians during times of war, unless it is essential for security or imperative military reasons and is temporary. It also bans changing a child’s family status. The Russian government argues that it considers large parts of Ukraine to be Russian and its citizens, including children. However, Ukraine claims that only a fraction of the children taken to Russia have been returned. Efforts to reunite the children with their families face numerous challenges, as the Russian authorities often erase the children’s identities.
Conclusion:
The case of Margarita, now Marina Mironova, highlights the alleged illegal deportation and adoption of Ukrainian children by Russian forces. The evidence uncovered by the investigation raises serious concerns about the well-being and fate of these children. As the international community grapples with the fallout of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, it is crucial to shed light on the plight of these missing children and work towards their safe return. The story of Margarita serves as a reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of protecting the rights and welfare of innocent children caught in the crossfire.
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