“You understand these are children of the Russian Federation. And at any moment, we can take them from you,” Russian social services threatened Victoria, forcing her to process Russian documents and enroll her children in a school.

Due to intense pressure and persecution by the occupying authorities, the family was so frightened that they dared not go outside. They felt like prisoners in their own house, in their own city, unable to escape the Russian system’s mistreatment. Collaborators forcibly enrolled Victoria’s children—15-year-old Vlad, 13-year-old Kira, and 8-year-old Ostap—in school, labeling them as “state children.”

At school, kids were given so-called “Assignments from Putin” — a special homework aimed to indoctrinate Ukrainian children, and were coerced to speak Russian. Parents were forbidden from entering the school, and the students were under the watch of an armed military officer.

Following such “lessons,” Victoria’s children often wept and resisted returning to school. Disobedience or attempts to avoid school were met with threats of the children being taken away, spreading fear among Ukrainian mothers.

Fortunately, our team reached out to Victoria, offering assistance to her family. This initiated the operation to rescue them from the occupation.

The journey to Ukrainian-controlled territory was fraught with challenges but ultimately successful. Now, Victoria and her children are safe, awaiting rehabilitation.