Ukraine returns 45 more citizens from Russian occupation

Lubinets stated that thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Ukrainian Ombudsman’s Office, government agencies, humanitarian organizations, and international partners, it was possible to ensure the safe return of 45 Ukrainians from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, as well as from Russia and Belarus.

"For many of them, this was the only opportunity to avoid the dangers associated with rights restrictions, insufficient access to medical care, pressure, and the risk to their lives posed by the occupying administrations," the Ombudsman emphasized.

According to Lubinets, among those evacuated were individuals who required special conditions for safe movement:

• People with limited mobility and those seriously ill, who were unable to leave the occupied territories on their own;

• Ten people needed urgent treatment due to serious chronic diseases;

• Evacuation for 23 individuals was organized using specialized transport and a medical escort.

Lubinets explained that the majority of those returned were elderly. He mentioned that the oldest person was 93 years old.

"Additionally, we brought back Ukrainians who needed legal assistance and support, as they had lost their personal documents and could not cross the border on their own," he added.

Photo: Ukraine returns 45 more people from the occupied territories (t.me/dmytro_lubinetzs)

Furthermore, Lubinets mentioned that some Ukrainians already in government-controlled areas had been persecuted by Russian forces. For example, a family whose father was kidnapped and tortured by Russian troops, which ultimately led to his death.

"That is why leaving the occupied territories is a way to escape systematic pressure, threats to life and health of civilians. I emphasize that the Ombudsman’s Office, in cooperation with government agencies, humanitarian organizations, and international partners, ensures the coordination of evacuation efforts, legal support, and assistance to citizens who found themselves in conditions of occupation," Lubinets concluded.

Life of Ukrainians in occupation

Notably, residents of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine face numerous hardships, including limited access to social benefits and medical services.

The Russian authorities in the occupied territories do not provide regular financial payments, such as wages and pensions. As a result, many Ukrainians are left without any income.

Russian forces insist on Ukrainians obtaining their passports, imposing numerous restrictions to enforce this. Access to medical care in the occupied territories is often out of reach for people holding Ukrainian passports.

RBC-Ukraine previously reported that Ukraine recently brought two children back home from occupation. Additionally, we reported that in early March, seven children returned to Ukraine simultaneously.