Ukraine Returns 8 Children From Territories Temporarily Occupied by Russia

Eight children aged 6 to 16 have been successfully returned from temporarily occupied territories in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, Donetsk regions, and Crimea.

This achievement was made possible through Ukraine’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in cooperation with the Office of the Ombudsman and international partners. Qatar facilitated the return of seven children, while one child came back through a humanitarian corridor.

The children’s stories highlight the challenges faced under occupation, including separation from families, inadequate healthcare, threats of deportation, and exposure to propaganda. Below are some of their cases:

• Taras

  A boy with autism from the Kherson region, Taras was cared for by his grandmother until she suffered a stroke. He was subsequently placed in a shelter, where he faced the risk of deportation to Russia. The Ombudsman’s Office, with international support, enabled Taras to reunite with his mother, ensuring he could receive the care he needs.

• Maria

  Living in Crimea, Maria, who has severe neurological conditions, lacked access to appropriate medical care, worsening her health. Her mother, residing abroad, was initially unable to bring her home. Through coordinated international efforts, Maria was returned to Ukraine, where she is now receiving critical treatment.

• Denys

  Following the death of his mother, 12-year-old Denys was placed in a Russian orphanage, where he was exposed to propaganda and considered for adoption by a Russian family. Maintaining contact with his father in Kharkiv, Denys was eventually brought back to Ukraine through Qatar’s support and reunited with his family.

• Valerii

  A 16-year-old from Kherson, Valerii described his experiences during the occupation, including searches by Russian forces, interrogations, and being forced into military-preparatory activities at school. His return was facilitated by the Save Ukraine initiative under Bring Kids Back UA.

• Yevheniia

  An 11-year-old girl who was compelled to study in a Russian school, Yevheniia faced threats of being removed from her family for refusing to participate in activities promoting propaganda. She was successfully brought back to Ukraine, where she can resume her education under a Ukrainian curriculum.

• Danylo

  A 9-year-old boy from the Kherson region, Danylo endured the destruction caused by the war, including hiding in a basement during shelling and living in an attic after the Kakhovka Dam collapse. Following his return, he has received psychological support to address the trauma he experienced.

The Bring Kids Back UA initiative, supported by government agencies and organizations like Save Ukraine, has facilitated the return of numerous children from occupied territories. Since 2024, 229 children from Kherson alone have been evacuated.