30 children and teenagers were rescued from the occupied territory last week

Last week, the Save Ukraine team rescued 30 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:

🔹 16-year-old Nastia, who barely left her own yard for years due to constant fear. Because she secretly continued studying online at a Ukrainian school, the occupation police repeatedly visited her family, conducted inspections, fined her parents, and eventually forced her to obtain a Russian passport through threats.

🔹 15-year-old Iryna, whose home was repeatedly raided by armed Russian soldiers. Her family was threatened with having her taken away from her parents if she refused to attend an occupation-controlled school. There, children were forbidden from speaking Ukrainian, subjected to intimidation, and forced to sing the Russian national anthem.

🔹 17-year-old Roman, who was interrogated by Russian soldiers and threatened with physical violence as they demanded information about the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He was later forcibly placed on the military register and began receiving draft notices in preparation for service in the Russian army.

For these children and 27 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, Humanity Funds, 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.