Rescue and Return of Children from Occupied Territories
Five children, aged between 10 and 17, have been safely brought back from the temporarily occupied areas of Kherson region to Ukrainian-controlled territory. This group includes three boys and two girls. Among them, two teenagers endured significant pressure, threats, and propaganda from Russian occupying forces. Their return was facilitated through the presidential initiative Bring Kids Back UA, with crucial support from the humanitarian organization Save Ukraine.
One 17-year-old boy was forced to attend a school run by the occupiers under threats directed at his family. According to Oleksandr Prokudin, armed Russian soldiers frequently raided this teenager’s home, conducting searches and inspecting his phones and electronic devices. At age 16, he was coerced into signing a military draft notice. Meanwhile, a 14-year-old boy faced threats that his family would lose him to a children’s home unless he attended the Russian-run school. Prokudin also noted that this school was a daily source of Russian propaganda, where occupying forces actively recruited children to become drone operators.
Support and Reintegration Efforts
All five children are now safe and undergoing reintegration at the “Hope and Recovery” centers, where they receive psychological care, assistance with documentation, and ongoing support. Since the start of 2026, a total of 190 children have been returned from the temporarily occupied parts of Kherson. The government has introduced a one-time financial aid program for children who have returned after deportation or forced relocation.
In addition, the public organization “Ukrainian Network for Children's Rights” has launched a chatbot to collect appeals regarding the return of children and youth up to 23 years old. This tool allows families to submit requests for a child's return, report loss of contact with relatives, and access information on available support. All user data submitted via the chatbot remains confidential.
The return of children from temporarily occupied territories is a critical component of Ukraine’s efforts to safeguard children’s rights and security. The Bring Kids Back UA initiative highlights the grave circumstances faced by children under occupation as well as the combined efforts of government and charities to provide essential assistance.