Ukraine returns 12 children from temporarily occupied territories
Another 12 children were returned from the temporarily occupied territories. The youngest child is 8 years old, the oldest is 17, reported representatives of the Bring Kids Back UA initiative. Kherson regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin, clarified that five children are from Kherson Oblast.
For example, 8-year-old Vika and her father were hiding from the Russians in their own home. Her father, who refused to take Russian citizenship, constantly feared for his daughter's safety. A neighbor-collaborator tried to take the child away through the Russian guardianship system, the organization said.
13-year-old Ulyana lived for almost three years under occupation with her mother, who was caring for her sick grandmother. 16-year-old Yarynka lost her mother due to the indifference of Russian doctors, so she lived for a long time in constant fear of ending up in a foster home.
15-year-old Yulia was sent to a camp near Moscow for a week, where they imposed the ideas of the "Russian world" and introduced her to the "new homeland."
17-year-old Timur was also returned from the occupation, and despite his age, he had already received a draft summons to the Russian army.
"All these children risked losing not only their homes, but also their future. The Russians are blocking families from leaving the TOT, keeping children as ‘human shields’ and turning schools into propaganda tools. In such conditions, every day is a struggle for self-preservation," said representatives of Bring Kids Back UA.
Currently, the children are safe and receiving the necessary assistance, including medical and psychological assistance.
According to the National Information Bureau, Ukraine has currently confirmed the deportation or forced displacement of 19,546 Ukrainian children. To report a child's disappearance/deportation/forced displacement, please fill out the online form on the Children of War website.
Co-author: Mykhailo Tarchynets