Ukraine Successfully Repatriates Six Children from Russian Occupied Territories

Six children and their families have been successfully returned to Ukraine from the temporarily occupied territories of the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions and are now safe, reported Dmytro Lubinets, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Ukrainian Parliament.

"According to the parents, their children were forced to attend Russian schools and celebrate Russian holidays, and there was pressure for Ukrainian citizens to obtain Russian-style documents. Additionally, armed Russians broke into homes and conducted baseless searches," wrote the ombudsman.

Lubinets also mentioned that one of the families has already visited the Child Rights Protection Center, where a team from a public organization, a charitable foundation, and government agencies discussed providing necessary assistance.

Another family was assisted by staff from the Ombudsman’s Office in the regional representation of Cherkasy region. They involved the public association "Union of Large Families 'Wings'" and "Caritas-Spes Ukraine" in the support.

"I reiterate that Ukraine is ready to welcome everyone back and will provide basic humanitarian, medical, psychological, and social assistance. Law enforcement agencies will document all crimes committed by the Russians, of which our children have been witnesses or victims," said Lubinets.