13 Ukrainian children rescued from Russian occupation after threats and forced schooling
Among those rescued were:
The occupation authorities also forced him to attend a Russian school. They threatened to take his parents' parental rights if they refused. At school, Andrii was fed Russian propaganda, made to draw Russian soldiers, and forced to take ideological tests.
As soon as Luka turned 18, he received a draft notice, despite having serious health problems. The occupation authorities were preparing to mobilize him.
Children at the school had to sing the Russian national anthem every day and wear St. George's ribbons, a Russian military symbol. The occupation authorities used these practices to try to erase their Ukrainian identity.
Andrii, Luka, Nina, and the 10 other children are now free from occupation. They are safe and receiving support at the Hope and Recovery centers.
The centers provide psychological support, help the children restore their documents, and give them a safe place to live. The goal is to help them adjust to life in Ukrainian-controlled territory.
Bring Kids Back UA says thousands of Ukrainian children are still living under occupation. Russia continues to pressure them psychologically, trying to erase their Ukrainian identity and use them for its own purposes.
The initiative thanked the Joint Center for the Coordination of Search and Release for its support and cooperation, and said efforts to bring Ukrainian children home would continue.
Ukraine also provides support to children returning after deportation, forced displacement, or from temporarily occupied areas. The government has introduced a one-time payment for each child.
The Ukrainian Child Rights Network has also launched a chatbot for requests to rescue children and young people from occupied territory or deportation. It allows people to request help to rescue a child or young person under 23, report losing contact with a family member, or find out what support is available. All information shared through the chatbot remains confidential.
As Rubryka previously reported, Ukraine has published step-by-step guidance on leaving areas affected by fighting. It answers common questions from people planning to leave dangerous areas. The guide is part of a new information campaign called "It will be difficult, but everything will be okay in the end." The campaign helps people in frontline regions address their primary concerns about evacuation.
- Last
- November, 06
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
News by day
7 of November 2026
