Today, five more Ukrainian children, aged 1.5 to 18, who had been living under Russian occupation for an extended period, were brought home as part of the President of Ukraine’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative.
Dariya Zarivna, Communications Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and Chief Operating Officer of Bring Kids Back UA, announced the news on Telegram.
Among the children is the 15-year-old daughter of a Ukrainian servicewoman recently released from Russian captivity. While the mother was in captivity, the family had to conceal their plans to leave, fearing it could put her at risk.
Another child, an 8-year-old boy, returned home after secretly studying at a Ukrainian online school despite a Russian ban.
A 17-year-old boy, who had maintained a strong pro-Ukrainian stance, also returned. He had personally requested help to escape occupation and continue building his future in Ukraine. He celebrated his 18th birthday at home.
“Each return is a complex operation requiring coordination of numerous efforts. Special thanks to the team at the Ombudsman’s Office for organising the rescue mission and ensuring the safe return of our children from occupation,” Zarivna wrote.
- As of 24 January, the Bring Kids Back UA initiative has successfully returned 1,037 children.
- Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy has invited the President of South Africa to support efforts to return Ukrainian children deported by Russia and has asked the Qatari government to expand its involvement in the mission.