Ukraine has managed to bring back five more children from the temporarily occupied part of Kherson region. They are three boys and two girls aged between 10 and 17.
This was reported by the head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration, Oleksandr Prokudin.
"Among those rescued are two teenagers, aged 17 and 14, who endured constant pressure, threats and propaganda from the occupiers," Prokudin said.
A 17-year-old boy was forced to attend an occupation-run school after threats were made against his family. At 16, he was made to sign a draft notice from the military enlistment office. Armed Russian soldiers repeatedly broke into his home, carried out searches and checked phones and other devices.
The family of a 14-year-old boy were threatened that he would be taken to an orphanage if he did not attend a Russian school. There, the teenager faced Russian propaganda every day, and Russian soldiers urged children to become operators of combat drones.
"All five children are now safe and are undergoing reintegration at the 'Hope and Recovery' centres, where they receive psychological support, help with documents and the care they need," the statement said.
The return took place as part of the presidential initiative Bring Kids Back UA and with the support of the charity Save Ukraine.
Since the start of 2026, 190 children have already been returned to Ukrainian-controlled territory from the temporarily occupied part of Kherson region.
- Over the past week, 33 children and teenagers were brought back from territories temporarily occupied by Russia to Ukrainian-controlled territory.