As part of the President of Ukraine’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative, with the support of the Ombudsman’s Office of Ukraine and the State of Qatar, seven Ukrainian children have been successfully returned from temporarily occupied territories and Russia.
Among them is 5-year-old Maria, whose mother made the brave decision to escape occupation after her father was imprisoned for his pro-Ukrainian stance. Under constant surveillance and severe restrictions, they finally found a way to leave and reunite with their loved ones in Ukraine.
Sixteen-year-old Dmytro continued his Ukrainian education online despite the occupation. His family endured forced passportization, constant fear for their son’s safety, and psychological pressure at the Russian school he was forced to attend. Determined to pursue his dream of studying IT at a Ukrainian university, his family made the difficult decision to leave the occupation and start anew in free Ukraine.
Eight-year-old Vadym was separated from his family when he was evacuated to Poland at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. When his mother attempted to reunite with her children, she found herself trapped in Russia with no way to return. After a long and challenging journey, Vadym, his mother, and his younger siblings have finally made it back home.
*Names are changed for security reasons.
We are grateful to the Ombudsman’s Office of Ukraine and our partner, the State of Qatar, for their dedication to bringing our children home.
Every child matters. Every child must return. We will not stop until they are all home. Without exceptions, without conditions.