Ukrainian initiative rescues 13 children from Russian occupied territories

The Bring Kids Back UA initiative, in cooperation with Save Ukraine, rescued 13 Ukrainian children and teenagers from Russian-occupied areas last week.

The rescued children faced psychological pressure and forced education under Russian programs. For example, 13-year-old Andriy lived under the threat of drone attacks while his parents faced threats of losing parental rights if they refused to let him attend a Russian school. At that school, officials forced students to participate in ideological tests and draw Russian military figures.

Another rescued teenager, 18-year-old Luka, was forced into an occupied educational institution through blackmail. After he turned 18, he received a military summons despite having serious health issues. The initiative described the conditions for 13-year-old Nina as a concentration camp, where children were forced to sing the Russian anthem and wear St. George ribbons to suppress their Ukrainian identity. The children are now in safe locations and undergoing reintegration at Hope and Recovery centers.

These centers provide psychological support, housing, and help with restoring official documents to assist with their transition back to Ukrainian-controlled territory. The initiative stated that thousands of Ukrainian children remain under occupation and continue to face psychological pressure from Russian authorities.