Ukraine brings back 19 children and teenagers from Russian occupation, including girl harassed and stalked by Russian soldiers

Ukraine has managed to bring back 19 children and teenagers from territories temporarily occupied by Russia. Among them is a 19-year-old girl who had been stalked and sexually harassed by Russian soldiers and an 18-year-old young man who received a call-up notice from the Russians.

Source: Bring Kids Back UA initiative and charity organisation Save Ukraine

Details: One of those rescued is 17-year-old Sofia. Russian soldiers searched her family's house, and when they found pro-Ukrainian statements on her mother's phone, they fined her RUB 15,000 (approx. US$190) and placed the family under special surveillance. At school the girl was subjected to Russian propaganda and was forced to undergo military training.

An 18-year-old Ostap, who had twice received a call-up notice from the Russian military enlistment office even before he turned 18, has also been brought back. When a military vehicle first arrived at their house, the boy managed to hide. The second time, the call-up notice was handed to his mother.

After that, the woman forbade her son to leave the house. Although leaving the occupation was risky, it was the only chance to save him.

Olena, 19, has also ended up in territory controlled by Ukraine. Russian soldiers stalked the girl in the street as she walked to school, threatened her with weapons and sexually harassed her. On one occasion they even forced Olena into a car, but she managed to escape.

In addition, the Russians regularly carried out searches at the family home and threatened the mother that they would take her daughter away.

The family of 12-year-old Makar also faced searches, interrogations and threats. On one occasion Russian soldiers turned their house upside down and almost seized the father's car to transport ammunition.

The most horrifying things, however, were drone attacks on civilians. When a local boy was killed in one such attack, the family finally decided that they needed to leave.

Background: Last week, 18 children were brought back from Russian occupation. Among them was a teenager who, under pressure from the Russians, underwent military training, and two boys whose parents were forced to hand over money for the "needs of the Russian army".

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