Ukrainian Children Rescued from Occupied Kherson After Russian Indoctrination, Forced Military Registration

Under the initiative of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Bring Kids Back UA, and with the support of the Save Ukraine team, another group of Ukrainian children and teenagers has been successfully returned from the temporarily occupied parts of southern Ukrainian Kherson region, Olexander Prokudin, Head of the Kherson Regional State Administration wrote on Telegram on January 8.

The group consists of children ranging in age from 3 to 17 years old.

These children had endured threats, coercion, and forced exposure to propaganda. A three-year-old and a five-year-old in a daycare were compelled to draw the Russian flag and present handmade gifts to Russian soldiers during holidays, according to Prokudin.

The Russian forces have been indoctrinating Ukrainian children from a very young age and continue to do so in older grades.

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A 17-year-old boy, who had been attending a Russian school, was taught drill movements and how to handle military weapons. Additionally, he, along with his classmates, was registered for military service, which could lead to conscription into the occupying army once he turns 18.

Prokudin stated that the children are now receiving psychological support and assistance with documents, housing, and care at the “Hope and Recovery” centers.

“I sincerely thank everyone involved for their help in saving the children,” he wrote.

Previously, it was reported that the US Senate was examining new evidence of Russia’s systematic abduction of Ukrainian children, as Senators Lindsey Graham and Brian Schatz held a hearing.

During the session, Ukrainian journalist and media adviser Ostap Yarysh reported that Ukrainian human rights organizations have uncovered information indicating that some children abducted by Russia were forcibly transferred to North Korea.

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