Ukraine returns 5 children from territories occupied by Russia

The Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, shared the information.

Children, ranging in age from 1.5 years old to 18, were returned to Ukraine-controlled territory from the temporarily occupied Luhansk, Donetsk, and Kherson regions.

According to one of the children, he was unable to leave the temporarily occupied territories on his own, so he reached out to the Ombudsman's Office. Currently, in the free territory of Ukraine, he is receiving assistance in obtaining documents, finding housing, and enrolling in a higher education institution.

A servicewoman recently released from Russian captivity also reached out to the Ombudsman's Office for help in returning her daughter from the temporarily occupied territories. The girl is now reunited with her mother.

"Finally, families will be able to choose their own future and feel how Ukraine is restoring their human rights. They will finally receive the necessary medical care, be able to get an education and realize their own plans," added Lubinets.

• Over the past year, 449 children were returned to Ukraine-controlled territory from the Russian occupation.