From mobilization to threats of boarding school: 15 children returned from the occupation

Another 15 Ukrainian children and adolescents were returned from the temporarily occupied territories. All of them survived pressure from the occupation authorities, threats, and attempts at forced Russification.

This was reported by the Save Ukraine organization.

The return of the children was made possible with the support of partners within the framework of the initiative of the President of Ukraine Bring Kids Back UA.

Among those rescued is 18-year-old Nikita, who was hiding from forced mobilization into the Russian army and refused to study at a Russian school. According to the organization, during the occupation, the boy even stood up for underage girls who were being molested by a drunken Russian soldier.

17-year-old Ivan was also evacuated. The occupation authorities demanded that he register for military service, and his mother was threatened with criminal charges. In addition, according to Save Ukraine, the boy’s brother was kidnapped and held captive for six months after a neighbor reported him.

Among those rescued was 13-year-old Daria. The girl hardly left her home so that the occupiers would not find out that she was not attending a Russian school. The family was threatened with taking the child to a boarding school, and the village itself was constantly attacked by Russian drones.

All 15 children are currently undergoing reintegration at the Hope and Recovery Centers, where they receive psychological assistance, support with paperwork, and temporary shelter.

Save Ukraine emphasizes that hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian children still remain in the temporarily occupied territories. According to the organization, the occupying authorities continue to pressure families, try to impose a Russian identity on children, and involve teenagers in training for service in the Russian army.