Called up for Russian army service and forced to sing Russian national anthem: 13 children and teenagers rescued from occupation

In the first week of November 2026, 13 children and teenagers have been successfully brought back from Russian-occupied to Ukrainian-controlled territory. Some of them had received draft notices for the Russian army, been forced to wear St George's ribbons, and had to sing the Russian national anthem every day at school.

Source: Save Ukraine and Bring Kids Back UA

Details: One of the children rescued was 13-year-old Andrii. He was brought back to Ukrainian-controlled territory from a town where Russian soldiers deliberately hunt civilians with drones.

Andrii was forced to go to a Russian school, otherwise he would have been taken away from his parents. At school, Andrii had to do ideological tests and draw pictures of Russian soldiers.

Thirteen-year-old Nina was also rescued. Her parents did not want to send her to a Russian school, but they were threatened with punishment. At school, Nina was forced to wear a St George's ribbon and sing the Russian national anthem every day.

Another teenager, 18-year-old Luka, has serious health problems, yet he received a call-up notice as soon as he turned 18. Luka's house was seized by the Russian military and he was forced to attend a Russian school due to blackmail.

The children are now undergoing reintegration and receiving psychological support and help with documents and housing.

Background: In August, 34 Ukrainian children were successfully brought back from the occupation in a single week.

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