Latest news with #BringKidsBack
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Two young adults brought back from Ukraine's occupied territory, including 18-year-old who spent most of her childhood under occupation
Ukraine has managed to bring back an 18-year-old woman who spent most of her childhood under occupation and a 21-year-old man whose village was captured by the Russians in 2022. Source: Bring Kids Back UA initiative Details: Karyna (name changed), 18, spent almost her entire childhood under Russian occupation. She always knew that she wanted to live in Ukraine, so she waited until she came of age to finally leave. Now Karyna is starting a new life in Ukraine: she wants to go to university and find a job. The village where 21-year-old Kyrylo (name changed) lived was occupied at the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, when he had just turned 18. The village was left without communications, checkpoints began to appear, and people began to disappear. Kyrylo's mother left for Crimea, and the young man was left alone. It was dangerous for him to leave because of the numerous Russian checkpoints. The young man received help in finding a safe route, gathering documents and preparing for departure. Kyrylo is now in Ukraine-controlled territory with his family. Background: On 28 May, 11 children were brought back from Russian-occupied territory to Ukrainian-controlled territory. Among them were two orphans and relatives of military personnel. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Girl, 18, forced to sing Russian anthem under scorching sun: how Ukrainian teenagers become Russia's hostages
Russian security forces at the border forced an 18-year-old Ukrainian girl, taken to Russia against her will by her parents, to memorise and sing the Russian national anthem under the scorching sun. Source: Olena Rozvadovska, co-founder of the charitable foundation Voices of Children, during the advocacy event People First, organised by the Center for Civil Liberties Quote from Rozvadovska: "There is a girl – let's call her Ivanka. She has recently turned 18. She was 15 when the full-scale invasion began. She was born and raised in a city that is now occupied. Her parents have sided with Russia." Despite her parents' support for the Russian invaders, Ivanka remained determined to stay in Ukraine. They forcibly took her to Russia, promising a 'heavenly life' with the chance to attend school and later university in Moscow or St Petersburg." Details: Ivanka (name changed for security reasons) has persistently sought ways to get back to Ukraine, keeping in touch with her Ukrainian classmates and her teacher. The girl refused to obtain a Russian passport, even though her parents insisted. A big fight broke out at home. She ultimately ran away and travelled all the way from Russia to Ukraine on her own. "The worst thing she describes is the experience of being interrogated by the Federal Security Service (FSB) while crossing the border," Rozvadovska says. "When we meet with such children in Kyiv, they say this is the most traumatic thing." Ivanka was questioned by FSB officers wearing balaclavas. After they searched her phone and found a message reading "Glory to Ukraine", the interrogation intensified. "They forced her to sing the Russian anthem, but she didn't know the words. They made her memorise it under the scorching sun, not even allowing her to stand in the shade. She was exhausted and terrified," Rozvadovska explained. Eventually, Ivanka managed to sing the anthem. One of the FSB officers sang along but made several mistakes – neither he nor the girl knew the lyrics properly, highlighting the absurdity of the situation. Ivanka now lives in Kyiv. But according to Rozvadovska, her case is one of the "softest" the Voices of Children foundation has encountered. "Many children who came back from Russia report physical violence, psychological pressure, and manipulation. They were told things like, 'Nobody is waiting for you in Ukraine'," she said. Many return in a severe psychological state, struggling with anxiety, fear and difficulty trusting others. Some have been receiving psychological rehabilitation for over a year. "When we celebrate the return of one, two, ten children – it's actually just the beginning of a new chapter for them," Rozvadovska added. Hundreds of children have been brought back, either independently, with volunteers, or through initiatives like Bring Kids Back. However, the number is still only a fraction of the whole. "Many of these children were taken when they were infants or toddlers. They are growing up under systematic manipulation and propaganda. In Russian schools, they are completely cut off from Ukrainian identity. They are not allowed to contact Ukraine. They are being brainwashed," she explained. Human rights activist Oleksandra Matviichuk, Head of the Center for Civil Liberties and a 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, noted that while Ukrainian authorities report the illegal deportation of about 19,000 children, the real number could be much higher. The People First campaign was launched to keep the issue of child deportations and other Russian war crimes against Ukrainians in the global political spotlight. Read also: Deportation as a weapon: the tragic fate of children from the Oleshky boarding school Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Ukraine brings back six children from Russian occupation
Ukraine has brought back six children from territories temporarily occupied by Russia. Among them are a brother and sister from a family that had previously tried to leave without success, as well as a girl whom the Russians had threatened to take from her mother. Source: Bring Kids Back UA initiative on Facebook Details: The initiative shared the stories of several children, including Mariia and her mother, who faced ongoing pressure from local Russian "administration" after the death of Mariia's father. "The family was forced to obtain Russian documents because they could not solve even basic everyday issues without them. The mother was also threatened that Mariia would be taken away if the girl did not attend a Russian school," Bring Kids Back stated. Eventually, the situation became so critical that the family had to seek help with evacuation. Also rescued were siblings Pavlo and Anna. The younger child had health problems but could not access the necessary medical care. The family had tried several times to leave the occupied territory on their own, but it was virtually impossible without Russian documents. "All the children and their families are now safe in Ukrainian-controlled territory. They are receiving assistance with rehabilitation and adapting to their new lives," the initiative concluded. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Deportation as a weapon: the tragic fate of children from the Oleshky boarding school
Authors: Victoriia Novikova, Reckoning Project Senior Researcher Kareem Asfari, Reckoning Project Legal Analyst The Russian Federation systematically deports Ukrainian children from occupied territories, which is a blatant violation of international law and human rights. The tragic case of the Oleshky Boarding School in the Kherson region vividly illustrates this crime, where children with disabilities were forcibly taken away from their friends, relatives, and caregivers. In October 2022, Russian occupation forces transferred 84 residents with disabilities from the Oleshky boarding school to temporarily occupied Crimea and Russia's Krasnodar region. Most of the boarding school residents were minors. This relocation occurred without the consent of their relatives or legal guardians, in direct violation of international humanitarian law. Unfortunately, this case is only part of a larger campaign by Russia to deport Ukrainian children. Over 2.5 years, only 11 children have been returned home. Russia uses the deportation of children as part of its propaganda efforts. Abducted children, especially those with disabilities, are often portrayed as "rescued" in fake humanitarian campaigns designed to showcase the "care" of Russian authorities. However, behind these claims lies an attempt to erase the national identity of the children, forcing them to adopt Russian culture, language, and citizenship. The intergovernmental program Bring Kids Back, aimed at returning Ukrainian children, faces serious challenges. Its implementation is hindered by limited access to occupied territories, insufficient coordination with international organizations, and a lack of resources for tracking abducted children. Moreover, the Ukrainian Ombudsman's Office and the entire return process architecture demonstrate limited effectiveness: out of more than 19,000 declared abduction cases, only about 400 children have been returned. The lack of an effective international mechanism to counter such crimes creates another significant issue. Only a few international organizations, such as UNICEF, address this problem. The Red Cross, traditionally considered a key player in humanitarian issues, demonstrates complete inaction regarding the deportations of Ukrainian children. The organization not only avoids active participation in investigations but also fails to assist in returning children, leaving victims without real support. It is worth noting that Ukrainian state statistics on the number of abducted children are questionable. The absence of an accurate data collection mechanism and the difficulty of verifying information due to limited access to occupied territories complicate the assessment of the actual scale of deportations. The entire system for identifying children and qualifying the crime of illegal deportation faces challenges due to ambiguities in international humanitarian law and difficulties in gathering evidence during pre-trial investigations. Circumstances surrounding abductions are often disguised as evacuations, medical transfers, or presented as genuine family decisions. The crime has a hybrid nature. The Russian Federation systematically deports Ukrainian children from occupied territories. Except for a few rigorous exceptions for military necessity and civilian security, the obligations attached to which the Russian Federation fails to respect, this type of displacement is a blatant violation of International Humanitarian Law. At the same time, it is essential to monitor the humanitarian consequences: the condition of children after their return, the overall trauma experienced by families, and so forth. This also presents challenges for researchers and the justice system. The issues surrounding children in boarding schools are not new to Ukrainian society. For many years, Ukraine has faced serious problems with the organization of institutions for children with special needs or those requiring state care. However, this case is particularly resonant due to the following factors: Non-compliance with Safety Standards: The evacuation system for children in Ukraine often appears spontaneous and irresponsible. The lack of a clear strategy, poor coordination between government agencies, and the absence of accountability, combined with the increased risks from Russian aggression, created the foundation for this tragedy. Uncertain Status of Children: Children in such institutions are often among the most vulnerable groups. Deprived of parental care, many of them have medical, psychological, or social issues. Each of them requires an individual approach rather than mechanical relocation without consideration for their needs and safety. Lack of Local Government Support: Although the social support system is supposed to function seamlessly, in practice, the lack of proper coordination at the local level means that children under state care become targets for abuse and violations of their rights. As the occupying power with effective control in the area, Russia technically has legal obligations over state institutions. So whether they had the authority to order is a grey area that is made more uncertain by the Ukrainian governmental is also important to say that whatever the question about guardianship, Russia has obligations to keep families together where possible and repatriate children. And also to educate/ care for children in a way that respects their nationality and heritage. Deportation, like any other act of violence, harms children not only physically but also psychologically. Children who experience violence, the destruction of familiar conditions, and environmental changes may suffer serious mental trauma that will affect their future development. Therefore, a systematic approach to working with children during wartime must be highly organized and precise. However, the problem goes beyond this incident. The situation in Oleshky reflects deeper issues in Ukraine's social care and child protection systems, which have become even more evident during the war. Thousands of children remain in occupied territories, while others seek refuge in western Ukraine, each requiring individual support and care. To prevent such situations from recurring, Ukraine must analyze the wartime experience and implement systemic reforms in social support and child rights protection. This includes: Reviewing Evacuation and Relocation Standards: A clear and safe mechanism for evacuating children from combat zones and occupied territories must be developed. Such a plan should consider the interests of each child and be adaptable to different situations. International Cooperation: Strengthening ties with international organizations such as UNICEF is crucial to ensure coordinated efforts and assistance for vulnerable children. Training and Support for Personnel: Staff at childcare institutions, including boarding schools, must be trained to act in crisis situations and be prepared for evacuations and providing support to children, particularly in cases requiring psychological assistance. The story of returning a single child, described in an article by New Lines Magazine, is a rare example of a successful outcome. A child with disabilities, Heorhiy Burskyi, was abducted from the Oleshky boarding school and returned home after two and a half years. This case highlights how complex and lengthy the return process can be, requiring the efforts of the state, international community, NGOs, as well as the dedication and courage of relatives. Russia's deliberate actions aim to erase Ukrainian identity among the younger generation, which is part of a broader strategy to destroy Ukrainian culture. Children taken to Russia are often placed in environments where their names, citizenship, and any mention of Ukraine are erased. This is not just a crime against specific children — it is a crime against the entire Ukrainian nation. The international community continues to show an insufficient response. Despite numerous statements of condemnation, arrest warrants for Maria Lvova-Belova and Putin, concrete actions remain at the level of declarations. Ukraine needs the establishment of an international tribunal to investigate deportations, the introduction of strict sanctions against those responsible, and the development of mechanisms for returning abducted children. Among those who facilitated the deportation of children are local collaborators. For example, Vitaliy Suk, the director of the Oleshky boarding school, actively helped the occupiers carry out their criminal intentions. He has already been sanctioned, sending an important signal to the world that such crimes will not go unpunished. Every deported child is a story of pain and loss, but also of hope. Bringing them home is both a humanitarian and moral duty for Ukraine. These stories must become a call to action, as every rescued child is a victory in the fight for the future.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukrainian children forcibly taken from their families brought home, official says
(Reuters) - Eight Ukrainian children seized from their families by officials in the Russia-annexed and controlled Crimea peninsula and placed in state orphanages returned home on Thursday, a senior Ukrainian official said. Darina Zarivna, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's chief of staff, said the children had been seized while receiving treatment in hospital and were rescued as part of the Bring Kids Back programme. They had been subjected to bullying in an orphanage and forced to take part in pro-Russian patriotism exercises and made to handle weapons and prepare for war, she said. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. "Their story is an example of the systemic harshness of the occupiers. They were forcibly taken from their mothers during a hospital stay and (the mothers) were obliged under threat to turn them over to an orphanage," Zarivna wrote on Telegram. "All this is a part of Russian policy aimed at destroying Ukrainian identity." Zarivna gave no details of how the children were rescued or where they were now. There was no immediate comment from Russian authorities. The International Criminal Court issued warrants in 2023 for the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin on war crimes charges related to the abduction of Ukrainian children. The Kremlin rejects the allegations. Earlier this week, Zelenskiy's chief of Staff, Andriy Yermakov, said 12 children forcibly taken to Russia had returned to Ukraine. Moscow and Kyiv have carried out several exchanges of children for reunification with their families since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014 in the aftermath of a popular revolt that prompted a Russia-friendly Ukrainian president to flee the country. Ukraine says over 19,500 children have been taken to Russia or Russian-occupied territory without the consent of family or guardians during the war, calling the abductions a war crime that meets the U.N. treaty definition of genocide.
