33 children and teenagers were rescued from occupation

33 children and teenagers were rescued from occupation last week by the team at Save Ukraine. This was made possible thanks to the support of partners within the framework of 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 Illia, who survived an armed attack by Russian soldiers in his own home. The teenager was forced to attend an occupation-run school, where teachers called the military police over the slightest signs of disagreement. Russian soldiers regularly came to classes, taught children how to handle weapons and operate combat drones.

17-year-old Oleksii, who was forced to attend an occupation-run school under threats. There, teenagers were encouraged to become drone operators, and later the boy was forcibly registered for military service. His family also endured regular armed searches, during which Russian soldiers intimidated civilians.

8-year-old Dina, whose family was threatened with taking the girl to an orphanage if she did not attend a Russian school. There, children were involved in propaganda activities, including being forced to draw postcards for Russian soldiers. Dina also lived in constant fear because of armed searches of homes and drone attacks on civilians.

For these children and 30 others, the occupation is now behind them. They are currently undergoing reintegration at the “Hope and Recovery” centers, where they receive psychological support, assistance with documents, safe shelter, and the care they need for a new beginning.

However, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian children still remain under Russian control. The occupation authorities are intensifying the pressure, attempting to erase the children’s Ukrainian identity and preparing teenagers for service in the Russian army.

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

We continue working until every Ukrainian child returns home.