Two more teenagers are brought back from Russian occupation

Two 17-year-olds – a boy and a girl – have been brought back from temporarily Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. They had refused to attend Russian educational institutions and were secretly studying at Ukrainian schools online.

Source: Bring Kids Back UA, a Ukrainian government-led effort to bring Ukrainian children home from temporarily Russian-occupied territories

Details: The boy was determined to leave occupied territory before reaching adulthood due to the risk of conscription into the Russian armed forces.

After finishing 9th grade (aged 14-15), he could no longer continue his studies at a Ukrainian online school due to unstable internet access. He also refused to attend a Russian educational institution, which left him socially isolated for more than two years. He spent almost all his time at home and rarely went outside.

A 17-year-old girl was also brought back together with her grandmother. She had been looking for a way to leave in time to take the National Multi-Subject Test (the exam used to assess school leavers for admission to higher education) and enrol in a Ukrainian university.

One of the girl's teachers reported in April that she was still in the occupied territory and wanted to be brought back.

Despite constant danger, the risk of exposure, and unstable mobile connectivity, the girl continued to secretly study at a Ukrainian online school. Her family carefully hid this, as some of their acquaintances had already faced persecution because their children had been studying according to the Ukrainian curriculum.

Bring Kids Back UA reported that human rights workers spent two months arranging a safe evacuation route for the girl.

"The teenagers will undergo adaptation and reintegration. They will receive the psychological support, help with documents and guidance they need to rebuild stable and safe lives," Bring Kids Back said.

Background: Ten more Ukrainian children, teenagers and young people were recently brought back from temporarily Russian-occupied territories. They had been threatened by Russian soldiers and pressured to sign military contracts.

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