33 Ukrainian Children And Teenagers Returned From Russian Occupation With Help From Save Ukraine

Save Ukraine, in collaboration with partners supporting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Bring Kids Back UA initiative, successfully facilitated the return of 33 Ukrainian children and teenagers from Russian-occupied regions, according to UATV English. These young individuals had been subjected to persistent pressure, threats, and fear while living under Russian occupation.

The initiative detailed how these children faced various hardships, such as Andrii, a 19-year-old whose school was converted into a medical facility by Russian forces, who was subsequently targeted with repeated stops, interrogations, and threats of criminal prosecution for refusing a Russian passport. Mariia, another 19-year-old, was compelled to sing the Russian national anthem at school and pressured at work to install Russia’s MAX messaging app.

She also endured constant propaganda urging her to view the children as potential recruits for the Russian army. Maksym, an 18-year-old, experienced systematic militarization of education, with Russian military personnel visiting his school to promote enlistment in the Russian army and students being taught weapon disassembly during class.

Later at university, he faced expulsion threats for refusing to vote for the United Russia party. The children, including these three, are now receiving reintegration support at Hope and Recovery centers, which provide psychological assistance, document aid, safe shelter, and the necessary care for a fresh start. The Bring Kids Back UA initiative expressed gratitude to Tatjana Kiel, We Are All Ukrainians, and the Joint Center for Coordination of Search and Release for their invaluable support and cooperation.