Teens Return From Russian-Occupied Ukraine

Bring Kids Back UA, a Ukrainian government effort, recently returned two 17-year-olds from territories occupied by Russia. Both teens resisted attending schools under Russian control and continued their Ukrainian education online. The boy stopped attending online classes after ninth grade due to poor internet access, leading to two years of social isolation.

The girl secretly studied while fearing exposure, as some acquaintances faced persecution for similar actions. Human rights workers spent two months planning a safe evacuation route for her. She hoped to return in time to take Ukraine’s university entrance exam.

These teenagers join ten others recently brought back, many of whom faced threats of conscription. Bring Kids Back UA plans to provide the returning teens with psychological support and help with necessary documentation. The organization continues to work on securing safe routes for Ukrainian children still in occupied territories.