Ukraine Repatriates 14 Children and Their Families from Russia Occupied Regions

Ukraine has repatriated 14 children and their families from the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.

This was announced by Ukraine’s Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets.

One family had tried multiple times to leave the occupied areas on their own but was repeatedly threatened and sent back without explanation. Another family had been hiding from the Russian occupying forces due to their pro-Ukrainian stance.

During conversations with the Ombudsman’s Office, individuals reported fears of going outside and difficulties finding work without a Russian passport. Russian occupying forces threatened to seize their property and strip them of parental rights, while children faced restrictions in schools. Ukrainian books were burned, and valuable possessions were confiscated. The homes of Ukrainians were continuously searched.

Many of the returned children require schooling, psychological and humanitarian support, and social integration.