23 children and teenagers were rescued from occupation last week

Last week, the Save Ukraine team rescued 23 children and teenagers from Russian occupation. This became possible thanks to the support of partners within the President of Ukraine’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative. Each of them endured constant pressure, threats, and fear, but today that is finally behind them.

Among those rescued:

🔹 17-year-old Illia, who was forced to attend an occupation-controlled school after threats were made against his family. He lived under constant pressure due to regular searches, during which armed Russian soldiers entered the family home and checked phones and other devices. When Illia was only 16, the occupation authorities forced him to sign a military draft notice.

🔹 14-year-old Oleh, whose family was threatened with having him taken to an orphanage if he did not attend a Russian school. There, he faced Russian propaganda on a daily basis, while Russian soldiers regularly visited classes and encouraged teenagers to become combat drone operators.

🔹 20-year-old Yaroslav, who was forced to obtain a Russian passport and was immediately issued a military draft notice. At school, he faced pressure from teachers for refusing to support Russian propaganda. Russian soldiers also regularly came to classes to encourage students to sign contracts with the Russian army.

For these children and 20 others, occupation is now behind them. They are currently undergoing reintegration at Hope and Healing Centers, where they receive psychological support, assistance with documents, safe shelter, and the care they need for a new beginning.

Yet hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian children remain under Russian control. The occupation authorities continue to intensify pressure, attempt to erase children’s Ukrainian identity, and prepare teenagers for service in the Russian military.

We sincerely thank our partners Tatjana Kiel, We Are All Ukrainians, and the Joint Center for Search and Release for their support and cooperation.

We will continue our work until every Ukrainian child is returned home.