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Seven Ukrainian Teens Rescued from Russian-Occupied Territories
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![Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko]( "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")
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Seven Ukrainian children have returned from temporarily occupied territories on April 3 following the efforts of the Office of the Ombudsman under the Bring Kids Back UA initiative.
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The group consists of youth between the ages of 13 and 17. The Ombudsman expressed gratitude to US First Lady Melania Trump for supporting humanitarian initiatives related to the return of Ukrainian children.
Among those returned is a 13-year-old boy from the occupied Kherson region who, after losing both of his parents, was placed in the Novokyivka social rehabilitation center for minors. He has now reached safety and will live with his sister.
Two brothers, aged 13 and 16, were successfully returned to Ukraine. After the death of their parents, the boys were left in the occupied territories under the temporary care of a cousin.
Despite the children's desire to reunite with their sister in Ukrainian-controlled territory, occupation officials used psychological pressure and threats to stop them. Eventually, the brothers managed to leave and are now safe under their sister's guardianship.
A 14-year-old boy was also reunited with his mother after a separation that lasted more than four years.
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 2,070 children have been successfully returned, though many others remain in occupied territories.
The Office of the Ombudsman monitors every part of the process, from contacting family members to meeting the children at the border. This mission was also supported by the international company MHP and its CEO Yuriy Kosiuk.
Efforts to return all remaining children are ongoing.
In December 2025, seven Ukrainian children were successfully brought back home from Russia with the assistance of US First Lady Melania Trump. According to a White House statement, six boys and one girl were reunited with their families in Ukraine.
Melania Trump commended the diplomacy between Russia and Ukraine, noting that their cooperation had created a collaborative environment for the safe return of children.
She also expressed hope that these humanitarian efforts would eventually lead to broader regional stability.
