This Christmas brought a heartwarming miracle as 8-year-old Alisa was finally reunited with her mother, Tamila, after three long years of separation. Alisa’s return from the temporarily occupied territories was made possible through the President’s initiative, Bring Kids Back UA, and the unwavering efforts of our partners at Save Ukraine.
This mission was especially challenging because Tamila, Alisa’s mother, serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. When the full-scale war began, Alisa was living in southern Ukraine with her grandparents. After February 24, their home was occupied by Russian forces.
The family endured constant searches and interrogations as Russian soldiers tried to uncover Tamila’s whereabouts. On one terrifying occasion, soldiers even threatened Alisa with a weapon. Alisa was also forced to attend a Russian school. Left in the occupied territory without her parents, she faced the constant risk of being taken by Russian social services. Alisa’s greatest wish was to be reunited with her mother. Unable to rescue her daughter herself, Tamila sought help tirelessly, and Save Ukraine stepped in to organize the rescue mission.
Thanks to our shared efforts and the invaluable support of We Are All Ukrainians 2022, Ron Wahid, and the Joint Coordination Center for the Search and Release of Prisoners, Alisa and Tamila are together again. Their first embrace after three long years apart is a testament to the miracles we can achieve when we work together.
Thank you to everyone who helps bring Ukrainian children back home!
For security reasons, the names of the mother and child have been changed.