Through joint efforts, it was possible to bring back Oleh* and his parents from the temporarily occupied territory

As part of the Ukrainian President’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative, the joint efforts of the Ukrainian Child Rights Network and the volunteer initiative Humanity helped return Oleh* and his parents from temporarily occupied territory.

Oleh started first grade while already living under occupation. From an early age, he was forced to attend so-called “Conversations About Important Things” at school — lessons where children are systematically exposed to Russian propaganda, the Russian army is glorified, and education is increasingly militarized.

For a long time, the family did not dare to leave their home. Oleh’s father works at a critical infrastructure facility, so departure could have created additional risks for him and their relatives, including checks, interrogations, and pressure from the occupation authorities. However, concerned about their son’s safety and future, the family ultimately decided to leave.

Specialists from the Ukrainian Child Rights Network, together with partners from Humanity, helped the family plan a safe route, coordinated every stage of the departure, and supported them throughout their return.

Today, Oleh and his parents are already on territory controlled by Ukraine. Symbolically, the family managed to return just before the start of the new school year. Oleh will now be able to continue his education at a Ukrainian school, while the whole family can build their future in a free Ukraine.

Ahead of them is a process of adaptation and reintegration, during which the family will receive the necessary support and assistance.

We continue working so that Ukrainian children who remain under Russian control can receive the necessary help and return home safely.

*The name has been changed for security reasons.

The return was made possible with the support of the German Federal Government through the project “JOFU: Joining Forces for Child Protection in Ukraine,” implemented by the Ukrainian Child Rights Network together with the Joining Forces consortium and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.