"Held on to the last": 22 Ukrainian children and teens brought back from occupation over past week

Ukraine has brought back 22 children and teenagers over the past week from the territories occupied by Russia. They have endured fear, pressure and humiliation but are now safe.

Source: Bring Kids Back UA and Save Ukraine initiatives

Details: Ten-year-old Damir is among the children who made it back. He was compelled to attend a Russian school. When he refused to do so, he was threatened with being sent to occupied Crimea under the guise of a so-called "examination" and the imposition of a false psychiatric diagnosis.

Quote: "Damir's mother suffered injuries when their home came under fire and later had to pay a fine for a photo she shared on social media."

More details: Fourteen-year-old Oliviia has made it back to territory under Ukraine's control. She was compelled to attend a Russian school, where she was bullied and insulted as a "khokhlushka" [a derogatory term used by Russians against Ukrainians – ed.].

Quote: "When her younger brother Matvii was born, their mother had no choice but to secure Russian papers for the entire family. As soon as the boy grew a little older, the family dared to flee."

Further details: The initiatives also managed to bring back sixteen-year-old Nazar and his younger brother Zakhar. Their parents, both teachers, had refused to work in a Russian school or accept Russian passports, which led to the boys being treated as outcasts in their village.

Quote: "The family clung on until the last, until officers from the so-called children's affairs service arrived at their door flanked by police. They drew up a report against the boys' father for keeping his sons from school and ordered him to appear before a so-called commission to face the charges."

More details: All the rescued children are now safe, receiving psychological support and assistance with their documents.

Background: Earlier, two 18-year-old boys were also returned to Ukraine-controlled territory from occupation, where they had faced the threat of mobilisation into the Russian forces.

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