Ukraine brings back children from occupied territories after years of oppression

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

“During the years of occupation, they endured oppression, coercion, and exposure to Russian propaganda, and today they are safe and receiving necessary assistance in Ukraine,” Yermak said.

He explained that among the rescued were sisters whom the occupation authorities tried to send to an orphanage after their mother’s death; children who were forced to sing the Russian anthem and participate in propaganda events with Russian military personnel; and a teenager who, despite health problems, was registered for military service, while his mother was humiliated for refusing to send her children to militarized activities.

“Today, all of them are receiving support: restoring documents, undergoing psychological rehabilitation, and receiving assistance to start a new, free life,” added the Head of the Office of the President.

• At the beginning of September, a group of children aged 3 to 18 who had been in Russia and the temporarily occupied territories were returned to Ukraine.