Two young adults were rescued from occupation

As part of the Bring Kids Back UA initiative of the President of Ukraine, and thanks to the efforts of the NGO Compass of Dreams team, two more young people have been successfully returned to the government-controlled territory of Ukraine.

Olena*, 20, had lived for years with her parents in a city occupied by Russia since 2014. Despite the constant influence of Russian propaganda, the girl did not lose her connection with Ukraine.

In 2025, Olena tried to leave on her own, but due to the lack of valid Ukrainian documents, she was unable to escape the occupation. In September 2026, she reached out to the NGO "Compass of Dreams," and the team helped her safely reach Ukraine-controlled territory.

Olena has already enrolled in a university under Quota-2, majoring in Psychology. She is currently receiving assistance with paperwork and temporary housing.

Sofiya*, 18, was still a child when she found herself living under occupation in the Kherson region. In 2023, her mother took her to Russia against her will. Sofiya wanted to return home, and her older sister Kateryna*, who had moved to Poland on her own back in 2022, supported her. However, Sofiya could not return to Ukraine without her mother's consent until she reached adulthood.

In August 2026, just before Sofiya's 18th birthday, the sisters contacted the NGO "Compass of Dreams" and began planning her return. As soon as Sofiya turned 18, Kateryna traveled to meet her and accompany her sister on the journey home.

Today, both sisters, along with a cat that also endured the journey, live in Kyiv. Sofiya is receiving social support, psychological and financial aid, as well as assistance with processing her documents.

We would like to thank the Coordination Center for Family-Based Care and Child Development and the Joint Center of the Security Service of Ukraine for their support and cooperation.

Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian children still remain under Russian control. We will continue our work until every single Ukrainian child is brought back home.

*Names have been changed for security reasons.