A group involved in the illegal trafficking of children abroad for adoption has ben exposed in Odesa region

Three individuals have been notified of suspicion in the sale of Ukrainian children to another country under the guise of “holidays”.

Law enforcement officers in Odesa region have dismantled a criminal group engaged in the illegal removal of Ukrainian orphans and children deprived of parental care abroad for subsequent adoption.

Under the procedural guidance of the Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office, two Ukrainian women aged 39 and 47, who organized the trips, as well as a 49-year-old founder of a charitable organization operating from abroad (in absentia), have been notified of suspicion.

According to the investigation, the suspects forged documents, facilitated the adoption of illegal decisions by guardianship authorities, and organized the crossing of the state border by children. Payments were received through international payment systems.
The scheme also involved 13 men and 2 women as transporters.

The criminal activity was carried out through so-called «hostings» – trips of children abroad supposedly for health improvement, which were actually used to find potential adoptive parents. Despite the ban on international adoption during martial law, the scheme continued to operate until 2025.

In total, attempts were made to illegally remove at least 25 children from various regions of Ukraine, 13 of whom had already been transported abroad. Thanks to international cooperation, the illegal movement of children was stopped.

The suspects have been charged with human trafficking, illegal transportation of persons across the state border, and forgery of documents (Parts 2 and 3 of Article 149; Parts 2 and 3 of Article 332; Part 3 of Article 358 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

At the request of the prosecutor, the two women have been taken into custody. Currently, the possible involvement of officials from child welfare services and institutional care facilities is being investigated.