Ukrainian teenager escapes Russian occupation and returns home

Details

According to Yermak, the 17-year-old boy spent most of his life under occupation and was constantly under the supervision of Russian military personnel.

He was pressured because his father and brother live in territory controlled by Ukraine. It was strictly forbidden to mention this.

Despite the danger, the teenager decided to escape. He turned for help to the partners of the Bring Kids Back UA initiative – the Ukrainian Child Rights Network, which provided a safe route.

"Today the boy is already in the territory controlled by Ukraine, receiving the necessary assistance and support," noted the Head of the Presidential Office.

According to Yermak, the state continues to carry out the President's task – to bring all Ukrainian children back home.

Deportation of Ukrainian children

During the full-scale war, Russia has been massively abducting Ukrainian children from the occupied territories. According to Ukraine and international organizations, more than 19,000 children have been taken away, although the real number may be much higher.

Today it became known that the United Kingdom imposed sanctions against individuals and organizations involved in the deportation of Ukrainian minors. The list includes the mother of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov and his foundation.

Return of children home

Recently, another group of children and young people aged 3 to 18 was returned to Ukraine from the temporarily occupied territories and Russia. This took place within the framework of the Bring Kids Back UA initiative.

Before that, four more citizens were brought back home – three children and a young man.

In July 2025, another 11 children were also returned, who had been illegally taken to the temporarily occupied territories or to Russia.