Ukraine rescues 15 children, including teens forced into Russian military draft

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

Among those who returned home was a large family whose mother had refused Russian documents and consequently faced pressure from the occupiers.

“Three teenagers who had received draft notices from the Russian army have also returned. One of them was abducted from home by the invaders and forced to sign a contract. Two young children, after losing their mother, ended up in a Russian shelter, where they were isolated from their relatives, forced to sing propaganda songs, and trained in military skills,” Yermak said.

The return of the children took place as part of the Ukrainian president’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative. The rescue mission was organized by the charity Save Ukraine.

• On February 11, as part of Bring Kids Back UA, Ukraine managed to return four children from temporarily occupied territories.