Another 14 children have been returned to Ukrainian-controlled territory from the temporarily occupied part of the Kherson region. This was reported on Telegram by Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration.
Among those returned are four boys and ten girls aged between 6 and 17. One young adult who had been deprived of parental care was also brought back.
According to Prokudin, all of them endured difficult experiences while living under pressure from the occupation authorities.
Among them was a 16-year-old boy whom Russian forces tried to force to register for military service; a 17-year-old girl who wanted to continue her Ukrainian education despite the risks and restrictions imposed by the occupation authorities; and a 10-year-old girl who dreamed of returning home and did everything she could to reach safety.
The children were rescued as part of the presidential initiative Bring Kids Back UA, in cooperation with the charitable organisation Save Ukraine.
All the children and their relatives are now safe and are receiving the assistance they need.
Since the beginning of the year, 204 children have been returned to Ukrainian-controlled territory from the temporarily occupied territories of the Kherson region.
Prokudin thanked the Save Ukraine team, the Office of the President of Ukraine, the relevant authorities and all partner organisations for their efforts to bring every Ukrainian citizen home.
