"More Ukrainian Children Freed from Russian Control"
In the heart of Ukrainian-controlled territory, the Hope and Healing centre offers a haven for children who have fled the clutches of Russian occupation. These children, including 15-year-old Mariia, who was bullied and beaten for standing up for her Ukrainian identity, and four-year-old Milana, who was forced to attend Russian schools in occupied territories, are now surrounded by warmth and care.
The current situation for these children is challenging, with many having been forcibly deported to Russia or Russian-controlled areas, often subjected to propaganda, separation from families, and attempts to change their identity. Although about 19,546 children have been deported since 2022, only around 1,399 have been returned to Ukraine.
Organisations like Bring Kids Back and Save Ukraine are working tirelessly to support these children. They provide comprehensive psychological support, therapy, education, and facilitate social reintegration activities, aiming to help these children recover from trauma and reunite with their families. The efforts also include building a support infrastructure that empowers parents and caregivers to restore family-based care.
On a political and international level, entities like the Council of Europe, the EU, and more than forty countries are demanding Russia immediately return abducted Ukrainian children and ensure the safety and freedom of children in Russian-occupied territories.
Despite these efforts, the environment remains difficult. Many children have experienced indoctrination while in Russia, attempts at forced citizenship, and ongoing fear from the conflict and occupation. The scale of the problem is immense, and full repatriation and rehabilitation remain incomplete.
The rescue of these children was made possible by the efforts of Bring Kids Back UA and Save Ukraine organisations. Milana, who has a disability and requires medication that was difficult to find in the occupied territories, and Semen, who fled the occupation to avoid being drafted into the Russian army, are among those rescued.
All rescued children receive psychological support, temporary housing, humanitarian and food assistance, help with documents, and opportunities for a fresh start. Lina, who lived in fear of surveillance and being sent to a so-called 're-education camp', and Semen, who had seen underage classmates forced into military service and didn't wait until turning 18, are now staying in Ukrainian-controlled territory.
The mother of Milana and Sasha was threatened with losing custody if the children didn't attend Russian schools. However, these children, along with others, are now safe and receiving the care they deserve. The international community continues to focus on the return and protection of these children, offering hope for a brighter future.
- Despite the ongoing political struggles and the impact of war-and-conflicts, the international community, including the Council of Europe and the EU, along with numerous countries, are intensifying their efforts to ensure the safety, freedom, and return of abducted Ukrainian children, providing a beacon of hope for a brighter, healthier future.
- As military conflicts persist and the psychological and physical trauma faced by these children is immense, provisions such as psychological support, education, and social reintegration activities offered by organizations like Bring Kids Back and Save Ukraine are crucial in promoting the health and well-being of these children who have been displaced by war-and-conflicts and politics, offering them a chance to heal and rebuild their lives amidst the general news of the ongoing crisis.
