This week, the Save Ukraine team helped four more children escape from temporarily occupied territories. The rescue mission was carried out as part of the @bringkidsback_ua initiative.

⚡ 14-year-old Kateryna, born with a heart condition, was nearly abducted by soldiers who tried to force her and her mother into their car. Her father was threatened and pressured to sign a contract with the Russian army. The occupiers demanded that the entire family renounce their Ukrainian citizenship and threatened to take their children away and send them to a camp. After suffering a nervous breakdown, Kateryna was advised to see a psychologist—but instead of professional help, she was assigned an armed “psychologist” from the FSB.

⚡ 16-year-old Oleksii was scolded by his teacher for using Ukrainian letters in Russian words. Soon after, he was placed on a military draft list. Some of his classmates had already been taken to the enlistment office, where they were threatened. His best friend was deported along with her entire family, who were then banned from returning home.

⚡ 14-year-old Denys spent three years under occupation without his father, a soldier forced to flee. Denys was interrogated by the FSB, his home was searched, and he was forced to study under the Russian curriculum. At school, teenagers were subjected to military drills, including rifle assembly and disassembly. Denys always refused to participate, but some of his classmates fell under the influence of propaganda and eagerly joined the training.

⚡ 15-year-old Vadym lost the chance to pursue his favorite sport and compete due to the war. He was also interrogated by the FSB and threatened with being sent to an orphanage. Despite everything, he continued his education online through a Ukrainian school, knowing that escaping occupation was his only path to a safe and happy future.

Russia is not only depriving Ukrainian children of their freedom but also trying to erase their identity, turning them into hostages of its policies.

We thank our partners @weareallukrainians2022, the Humaniti Foundation, and Reload Love for supporting this mission and helping us save our children. Together, we continue the fight for every Ukrainian boy and girl still trapped in occupation. Join our mission.