A 6-year-old boy, his 2-year-old sister, and their parents have been safely reunited with their homeland after being rescued from occupied Mariupol. This life-changing rescue was made possible by the Ukrainian Child Rights Network and Bring Kids Back UA initiative.
The family’s ordeal began with the full-scale Russian invasion, which left them trapped in the epicenter of the conflict. Their son was only four years old at the time, and escape seemed impossible. In September 2022, their daughter was born, her birth documented under illegitimate authority in the occupied territory.
The family’s challenges were compounded by the father’s status as a serviceman in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, forcing them into hiding and subjecting them to constant fear and unimaginable hardship.
In October 2024, a relative contacted the Ukrainian Child Rights Network for assistance. The team immediately took action, coordinating a safe escape route and ensuring all necessary documentation was prepared. Their efforts were supported by the Ukrainian National Center for Peacebuilding, whose contributions were instrumental in the successful rescue.
Now back in Ukraine, the family is beginning a new chapter, free from the threats they endured in occupied Mariupol.