"Even among friends they had to whisper in Ukrainian": two young men brought back from occupation

Two young men have been brought back to Ukraine from Russian-occupied territories, where they lived under constant surveillance and a blanket ban on anything Ukrainian.

Source: Bring Kids Back UA initiative

Details: Eighteen-year-old Yevhen's hometown fell under occupation at the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.

Quote from Bring Kids Back UA: "The first weeks turned into years of fear and pressure. Schools changed their curricula, teachers were forced to follow Russian 'standards', and the Ukrainian language was effectively banned.

Any word spoken in Ukrainian could cause trouble – even among friends they had to whisper."

More details: Yevhen dreamed of enrolling at a Ukrainian university. When the chance came to escape, he did not hesitate. He is now safely back in Ukraine, reunited with his family.

Twenty-year-old Danylo spent nearly three years in isolation and constant control. There was no work in the occupied area, and internet access was frequently blocked.

Any sign of Ukrainian identity aroused suspicion. Patrols roamed the streets, checking phones and searching for "untrustworthy" individuals.

Danylo witnessed people being forced to accept Russian passports and young men being conscripted into the Russian army.

His sister was the first to escape occupation and convinced him he could do the same. Volunteers helped plan his route, prepare his documents and arrange safe passage. He is now preparing to resume his studies.

Background: Earlier, Ukraine also brought back a 20-year-old man who spent nearly half his life in Russian-occupied Crimea.

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