Another 28 Ukrainian children and teenagers were returned from the TOT and Russia

Another 28 children and young people were returned from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and Russia. Some of them were threatened with mobilization into the Russian army by the occupiers and forced to obtain Russian passports.

This was announced by the head of Save Ukraine Mykola Kuleba.

Among those rescued is a 20-year-old boy who witnessed forced vote-taking during the so-called “referendum” during the occupation. After he came of age, the Russians began to pressure him and demanded that he join the Russian army.

We also managed to return an 18-year-old Ukrainian who was forced to study as a drone operator during the occupation. After that, he was put on the lists for priority mobilization. At the university, the guy was forced to sign a contract with the Russian army and threatened with expulsion.

Another 18-year-old boy was threatened with being burned to death along with his family if he did not receive a Russian passport. Armed Russian soldiers regularly searched the children at school, and once the class teacher brought the boy a draft notice to join the army during class.

The rescued are currently staying in the Hope and Recovery centers. There they are provided with psychological assistance, help with paperwork, and help with adaptation upon return.

WeAreAllUkrainians, the Humanitarian Foundation, and the Joint Search and Release Coordination Center also joined the return operation.