7 children rescued from occupied Kherson exile

Ukrainian officials said on Wednesday they have brought home seven children—three boys and four girls, aged between 7 and 17— who were earlier deported by Russia to the occupied areas of Kherson.

These children went through ‘hell’  in Russian exile,  facing baseless searches and constant danger, according to Kherson governor Olexander Prokudin.

“Troops stormed into their homes, threatened families, and attempted to evict them. The [Russian-led] occupying authorities repeatedly pressured families to enroll their children in Russian schools and obtain Russian passports.”

On return to Ukraine, they received essential support and are now in a a secure place.

Their return to Ukrainian-controlled territory was made possible thanks to the efforts of Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman and the charity organization “Save Ukraine.”

Since the beginning of this year, their campaing has helped to bring back 217 children from the occupied Kherson areas.