Sixteen Ukrainians have returned from temporarily occupied territories to areas under Ukraine’s control. The evacuation was organised via the Novi Yarylovychi border crossing point.
This was reported by the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets.
According to him, bringing each person back requires an individual approach, preparation and coordination. Some evacuees need medical assistance; others require their documents to be restored, temporary accommodation, psychological support, or help reuniting with relatives.
The evacuation was supported by MHP and its founder and CEO Yuriy Kosyuk. After crossing the border, Ukrainians are supported, among others, by specialists from the Caritas Ukraine charitable foundation, who provide financial assistance, arrange temporary accommodation and offer social support.
One woman had remained alone in the occupied territory for a long time. Because of health problems and limited mobility, she was unable to reach areas under Ukraine’s control on her own. To bring her back, it was necessary to arrange specialised transport, medical support and a safe route.
Another story concerns a married couple from the temporarily occupied Luhansk region. In April this year, the woman suffered a major stroke and required constant care. Her husband, an elderly man with a disability and a liquidator of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant accident, also needed treatment and could no longer care for his wife on his own.
The couple had planned to evacuate to Kyiv, where their daughter was waiting for them. However, before the departure began, the woman died. Only her husband was able to return to areas under Ukraine’s control.
The Ombudsman stressed that work to bring Ukrainians back from temporarily occupied territories is ongoing. Specialists are processing requests, assessing security risks and coordinating with partners to help people leave and receive the support they need.