"She must be killed because she's from Ukraine": 17 children brought back to Ukraine from Russian-occupied territories

Seventeen children have been brought back to Ukraine from Russian-occupied territories. Among them are a boy whom the Russians tried to take away from his grandparents, and a teenager who was forced into a "military camp".

Source: Bring Kids Back UA initiative

Details: Seventeen-year-old Mykyta has returned home after being forcibly taken to a "military camp" near the occupied city of Melitopol in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. His parents were unable to object, as they were threatened that he would not receive his school certificate without a participation certificate from the camp.

For five days, Mykyta was made to live like a soldier: getting up at 6:00, lining up, timed digging of trenches, assembling rifles and drones and storming buildings.

Seventeen-year-old Rostyslav has also been brought back. His relatives serve in Ukraine's Armed Forces. The Russians came to his family's house right after seizing their village. During a search, they confiscated all his gadgets and took him to a police station for several hours.

Afterwards, Russian soldiers repeatedly visited the family, intimidating and threatening them.

Seven-year-old Yaroslav has also made it to Ukrainian-controlled territory. He had been living for three years with his grandparents on the right bank of Kherson Oblast. His parents had gone to Kherson before the city was occupied, but were unable to return – the bridge was blown up and the crossing closed. Since then, the family has been separated by the front line.

His grandparents hid the boy from the Russians – they even obtained Russian documents to avoid suspicion. When they learned that the occupation authorities planned to "seize" the child, they decided to flee.

Twelve-year-old Sonia and nine-year-old Tymofii have also been brought back. They were afraid to attend Russian school. A classmate once said bluntly about the girl: "She must be killed because she's from Ukraine".

Tymofii was constantly bullied and forced to listen to anti-Ukrainian songs. As soon as an opportunity arose, the family escaped the occupation.

All the rescued children are now safe – they are receiving psychological support, assistance with documents and shelter.

Previously: A 23-year-old mother with her baby was recently brought back from temporarily occupied territory. For a year, she lived in constant fear, hiding at home so as not to lose her child.

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