5 children, 3 adults returned to Ukraine from Russia and occupied territories

Source: Dmytro Lubinets

Eight individuals, including five children and three adults, have been repatriated to Ukraine from Russia and temporarily occupied territories , according to Ukraine’s ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets.

The children were returned under President Zelenskyy’s Bring Kids Back initiative.

Among those rescued were three individuals who recently turned 18. Two of them had been in Russia’s exile for a period and faced pressure and restrictions.  As they came out of age, they chose to return to Ukraine.

Another young man, orphaned and left alone, managed to escape from Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia.

The campaign also brought back a family of four, including children aged 11 and 14. The family had dealt with  harassment and armed searches over their pro-Ukrainian views.

Ukraine also helped to return a 77-year-old woman, who was unable to leave occupied territory on her own.

“All these Ukrainians describe the dangers posed by the ‘Russian authorities’ in occupied areas and the constant pressure faced by those whose views were not in line with the narratives imposed by Russia,” Lubinets said.

The ombusman praised the coordinated efforts of the Ombudsman’s Office, volunteers, NGOs, and international partners that helped bring Ukrainians home, and away  from dire conditions in occupied territories.

“The state is committed to the return of all its citizens and will provide essential humanitarian, medical, psychological, and social support. Law enforcement agencies will document the crimes committed by Russia, as experienced by Ukrainian children and families,” Lubinets assured.