Adding ref with React.cloneElement() fails on class component with functional component error

In a class component with all class component children...

constructor(props) {
  super(props);

  this.myref = React.createRef();
}

render() {

  return (
    {React.cloneElement(this.props.children[0], {ref: myref})}
  );
}

...fails with Warning: Function components cannot be given refs. Attempts to access this ref will fail. Did you mean to use React.forwardRef()?

I get that React.cloneElement() is probably returning a functional wrapper that's confusing React, but given the power of this.props.children, what is the proper way to dynamically add refs? All of the actual children are class components if that matters.

The report names React.cloneElement(), React.createRef(), class components, and functional components, but no repository file or test entry point. Start by reproducing the warning with the shown component structure and determine whether the expected behavior is a React fix or a documentation clarification; done means an agreed, reproducible outcome and a documented or tested resolution.