Ukrainian teens rescued after years under Russian occupation

Andriy Yermak, the head of the President's Office, reported the information.

He said that 18-year-old Karina spent almost her entire childhood under occupation. Despite the pro-Russian environment, the girl dreamed of a future in Ukraine and counted the days until she reached adulthood to leave.

Now the girl plans to find a job and enroll in university.

“Kyryl was 18 when the occupation began. He was left alone, without communication, and in constant fear for his life. Thanks to the help of our partners, the young man safely returned to Ukraine, where his family was waiting for him,” Yermak said about the boy who was brought back to Ukraine.

The head of the President's Office expressed gratitude to the partners — the Ukrainian Network for Children’s Rights — for carrying out the rescue missions.

• Recently, on May 22, nine children were returned from the occupation to Ukrainian-controlled territory within the framework of the presidential Bring Kids Back UA initiative.