Espreso. Global

17-year-old boy forced to Russia returns to Ukraine, reunites with family

25 June, 2025 Wednesday
16:40

A 17-year-old boy who had been living under occupation and was later forced to flee to Russia has been returned to Ukrainian government-controlled territory

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Daria Zarivna, communications advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, announced the news.

At the start of the full-scale invasion, the boy found himself alone in a village that was quickly occupied. His mother and younger sister remained in Ukrainian-controlled territory, but contact with them was eventually lost.

"Facing constant danger, the boy was forced to travel to Russia in search of a way to return home," Zarivna wrote.

He was successfully brought back to Ukraine on June 25. The family is now receiving legal, psychological, and daily living support.

  • Nine children have been returned to Ukrainian-controlled territory from Russian-occupied areas as part of President Zelenskyy's Bring Kids Back UA initiative.
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