Two young people are rescued from the occupied territory

As part of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative, the Ukrainian Child Rights Network and the NGO Compass of Dreams have jointly helped return 19-year-old Olha* and her older sister Valentyna* from the temporarily occupied territory.

For three and a half years, the sisters lived under occupation, dreaming of returning to Ukrainian-controlled territory. However, even when an opportunity to leave arose, making the final decision was not easy.

Olha was afraid of the unknown and the risks associated with the journey. After years of living under Russian control, a difficult road lay ahead, with an uncertain outcome.

Despite her fears, she understood that she wanted to return to Ukraine, make her own decisions, and build her future without the restrictions imposed by the occupation.

The support of her older sister, Valentyna, helped Olha find the courage to leave. Together, they decided to escape the occupation and begin a new chapter of their lives in Ukraine.

Specialists from the Ukrainian Child Rights Network, working together with the Compass of Dreams team, helped the sisters plan a safe route, coordinated their return, and welcomed them upon their arrival in Ukrainian-controlled territory.

Today, Olha and Valentyna are home.

They now face the process of adaptation and reintegration, recovery from their experiences, and a gradual return to a stable and safe life.

After three and a half years under occupation, the sisters have finally regained the opportunity to plan their future in Ukraine independently.

We continue our work to ensure that Ukrainian children and young people who remain under Russian control can receive the assistance they need and return home safely.

*Names have been changed for security reasons.