Last week, eight relatives of our military personnel were rescued from occupation by the Save Ukraine team, together with the SSU’s Joint Center for Coordination of Search and Release of Prisoners of War and Persons Illegally Deprived of Liberty due to Aggression against Ukraine as part of the Bring Kids Back UA initiative.

Among them were three minors and two adult daughters, one with health issues, as well as the husbands and fathers of our defenders. Since the full-scale invasion, these families had been living under occupation, constantly watched by Russian special services, making it nearly impossible for them to escape to Ukrainian territory. The children had not spoken with their mothers for almost three years, as each call required navigating complicated bureaucratic procedures imposed by the occupation authorities, with approvals taking months. Some were forced to attend Russian schools. Others were coerced into obtaining Russian documents. All just to survive.

We successfully helped these relatives escape occupation and cross the border into Ukraine. It is an honor for us to be trusted with organizing such a rescue mission for the families of Ukrainian soldiers. All of them are in a very difficult psychological state after what they’ve endured, so our mission continues — we must help these families rebuild their lives.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who helps rescue Ukrainian children and their families from Russian oppression. We won’t stop until every Ukrainian is free and safe.