Forced "cadet" training and denied medical care: Ukraine brings back 15 children from Russian occupation
A further 15 Ukrainian children and teenagers were brought back from Russian-occupied territory last week. They had been forcibly enrolled as "cadets", denied access to medical care and threatened with registration for Russian military service.
Source: Bring Kids Back UA initiative
Details: Among those brought back is 14-year-old Alina, who secretly continued her studies online at a Ukrainian school under constant attacks. In the Russian occupation, she was denied medical treatment and rehabilitation services because her family refused to obtain Russian documents.
Eighteen-year-old Ivan also left temporarily occupied territory after having to hide his pro-Ukrainian views. He studied at a college where students were forced to listen to Russian propaganda in class and disassemble assault rifles under the supervision of a Russian officer.
Quote from Bring Kids Back initiative: "When the boys began to be summoned for military registration, Ivan left so as not to fight against his own country."
More details: Eighteen-year-old Demian was unable to avoid such a fate: he was forced to register for military service under threat. His hometown was flooded with armed Chechens who openly abused locals. He witnessed Russian soldiers storm into a class and restrain one of his classmates.
The home of 17-year-old Yevheniia's family was searched at gunpoint by Russian forces at least 10 times. She was forced to attend a local school.
Quote from Bring Kids Back initiative: "There, children were forcibly enrolled as 'cadets', dressed in military uniform and told every day that war is normal."
More details: The 15 children and teenagers are now safe at Hope and Recovery centres. They are receiving psychological support, help with documents, housing and care.
Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian children remain in temporarily occupied territories, where the Russian-appointed authorities are intensifying pressure, trying to forcibly mobilise teenagers and making routes for their return to Ukraine more difficult.
Background: Earlier, 19 children and teenagers were brought back from occupied territories to Ukrainian-controlled territory. Among them was a 19-year-old girl who was persecuted by a Russian serviceman simply for saying "thank you" in Ukrainian.
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