Ukraine Repatriates 15 Children, Including Three Teens Issued Russian Military Draft Notices

Ukraine has successfully repatriated 15 children from Russian-occupied territories, including three teenagers who had been issued conscription notices by Russian authorities, according to Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine on February 19.

Among those returned is a large family whose mother faced pressure from occupation authorities after refusing to accept Russian documents. Reports indicate that occupation forces attempted to compel her children to attend Russian-run schools, with threats issued for non-compliance.

The group also includes three 17-year-old boys who fled after receiving draft notices from Russian authorities. One of them was reportedly taken from his home by occupation forces and coerced into signing a military contract.

Additionally, two young children were placed in a Russian orphanage following the loss of their mother. According to officials, they were isolated from their relatives, subjected to ideological indoctrination, and trained in military activities.

Another case involved a child in a Russian kindergarten who reportedly experienced mistreatment due to his Ukrainian identity. Meanwhile, an infant born during the war was denied medical care for nearly 18 months after the mother insisted on obtaining a Ukrainian birth certificate.

The repatriation was carried out as part of the Bring Kids Back UA initiative launched by the President of Ukraine. The operation was facilitated by the humanitarian organization Save Ukraine.

Earlier, on February 6, Ukraine repatriated eight children who had been taken to Russian-occupied Crimea, where they were subjected to military indoctrination. According to Daria Zarivna, the children were forcibly separated from their mother while she was in the hospital and placed in an orphanage, where they faced psychological pressure and exposure to propaganda.

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