In the harrowing backdrop of war-torn Ukraine, the story of Denys Kostev unfolds as an illustration of survival amid chaos. Once a young boy in an orphanage, Kostev’s life drastically changed as the Russian invasion reshaped his world, forcing him into a complex navigation of loyalty and survival. His journey underscores the profound impact of conflict on youth, capturing the psychological and physical trials faced by many in situations of forced allegiance.
Kyiv, Ukraine – When the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began, Denys Kostev was only 18 and living in an orphanage in Kherson. Initially appalled by the war, he produced social media videos condemning the invading Russian forces. However, following a forced transfer to occupied Crimea, his rhetoric shifted significantly.
Now, four years later in Kyiv, Kostev recounts a painful narrative of survival, revealing how he became a symbolic figure for wartime Russia, emphasizing that this transformation was a matter of life or death. He describes his experiences as a photogenic youth involved in a theatre club at his orphanage, where he lived following the incarceration and death of his mother. This background led him to star in numerous videos for Russian television networks, where refusing to participate resulted in threats of physical assault or imprisonment.
“It was useful to play this pro-Russian role,” Kostev said. “I wanted to live.” But the reality of survival came with grave challenges. Tanks rolled into Kherson shortly after the war commenced, where individuals suspected of pro-Ukrainian sympathies were rounded up and interrogated, sometimes facing abuse.
In late 2022, while studying at a trade school, Kostev and his peers were relocated to a summer camp called Luchisty in Russian-occupied Crimea. He described the disorienting environment, where each day began with the Russian anthem and weekly ceremonies celebrated the flag. “The orphans were isolated,” Kostev indicated, explaining that without parental guidance, children were susceptible to adopting pro-Russian narratives.
Ukrainian authorities are working to return reportedly abducted children and gather evidence against those involved. To date, over 2,600 children have been returned, though human rights organizations claim that nearly 20,000 Ukrainian minors have been taken to Russia for alleged indoctrination during the conflict. While Russian officials assert that any relocated children were saved from danger, many families have reported abductions and brainwashing tactics.
International rights groups label the systematic abduction and indoctrination of children among the Kremlin’s most severe transgressions. “The physical destruction of this war is visible to everyone, but the campaign to abduct and ‘re-educate’ Ukrainian children represents something profoundly sinister,” stated Ivar Dale, a senior policy adviser with the Norwegian Helsinki Committee.
Concerns are grave; Ukrainian officials report that approximately 5,500 youths in Russian-occupied areas have been thrust into the Young Army initiative, receiving military training. Svitlana Chunikhina, vice president of the Association of Political Psychologists of Ukraine, emphasizes the vulnerability of children to such narratives, given their pliable nature and tendency to trust adults.
Kostev’s experience in Crimea was marked by oppression and excessive control; they were often denied freedom, yet occasionally managed to sneak out for small freedoms. The fear that they would “never return to Ukraine” was omnipresent. After months in Crimea, Kostev was sent back to the occupied town of Henichesk, discovering that the Russian troops had retreated from Kherson long ago.
Struggling with his new reality, Kostev enrolled in another trade school, living in conditions that he later criticized in a widely shared video. After authorities accused him of spying for Kyiv and attempted to coerce him into promoting Russian allegiance, Kostev managed to escape. In 2024, he reunited with family in Germany, subsequently crossing into Poland while awaiting a new Ukrainian passport.
In April, Kostev returned to Ukraine, where he is embarking on a military career as a drone pilot, driven by the hope of returning home. “Wherever you are—home is better,” he reflects, recalling moments of tension and uncertainty. His story resonates as a testament to the resilience of youth caught in the turmoil of geopolitics, showcasing the determination to reclaim their lives amidst the shadows of war.
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