Three more kids back from the temporarily seized Kherson region
In Kherson region's temporarily held territory, three bold youngsters aged 12 to 16 managed to regain their freedom. That's right, these courageous kiddos returned safely to their homeland.
The head honcho of the Kherson Regional Military Administration, Oleksandr Prokudin, spilled the beans about this win. Among these freedom fighters was a mini-warrior who had been a mere 9 years old when his town was seized.
Despite facing intimidation and bullying at school, this little boy stood strong for his pro-Ukrainian beliefs. Teachers and his peers had turned against him, even drawing visits from the FSB who threatened to rip him away from his mother. But this brave kid wouldn't bend. He steadfastly refused to sing Russia's national anthem or take part in any militarized events—showing more mettle than some full-grown adults!
Now that these three have made their triumphant return, they're under the protection they deserve and receiving medical and psychological help to heal. This is the 46th instance of Ukrainian youngsters being reunited with their kin in Kherson since the beginning of the year.
And let's not forget the drama that unfolded in the European Parliament a while back, where they pumped up the pressure on Russia regarding the return of Ukrainian children unlawfully deported by the big, bad bear. They passed a resolution on May 8, 2025, with an enormous majority, condemning Russia for their genocidal strategy that aims to wipe out Ukraine's identity. The resolution demanded that the children returned immediately, which these recent events seem to prove they are doing, at least in Kherson.
The resolution also pleaded with Russian authorities to grant international organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and UNICEF access to these deported children. This could potentially see some action in Kherson as well.
However, the resolution didn't dive deep into Kherson's specific situation. Ukraine has documented over 19,500 Ukrainian youngsters being forcefully deported or displaced since February 2022, with the actual number believed to be higher because Russia refuses to cooperate on returns. The European Parliament's resolution is part of a broader movement to address this humanitarian crisis and secure these children's rights.
- In the Kherson region, the brave children who managed to regain their freedom are now under the protection they deserve, receiving medical and psychological help.
- Among these children was a young boy who, despite being just 9 years old when his town was seized, stood strong for his pro-Ukrainian beliefs.
- The European Parliament has passed a resolution on May 8, 2025, condemning Russia for their genocidal strategy aimed at wiping out Ukraine's identity, demanding the immediate return of unlawfully deported children.
- The resolution also pleads with Russian authorities to grant international organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and UNICEF access to these deported children, potentially bringing action to Kherson as well.
