Last week, the Save Ukraine team rescued 26 children and teenagers from occupation. This became possible thanks to the support of our partners within the framework of the President of Ukraine’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative. Every single one of them endured pressure, fear, and a very real threat to their lives. But today, that is finally behind them.

Among those rescued:

🔹 7-year-old Maksym, who survived a direct artillery hit on his home, which caused severe psychological trauma and led him to become very withdrawn. At kindergarten, instead of learning, the boy was forced by the russian military to memorize military ranks and was told that war criminals were “heroes.”

🔹 20-year-old Yaryna, who had to live in constant fear due to regular raids by the occupiers. During one of them, armed soldiers searched her home, planted ammunition on her family, and confiscated their Ukrainian literature. The girl continued to secretly study at a Ukrainian college and communicate in Ukrainian despite threats and bullying.

🔹 18-year-old Danylo, who miraculously survived an attack by a drunk, armed russian. At school, instead of lessons, he was taught to dig trenches, and for refusing to register for military service, the principal threatened to withhold the young man’s diploma and fine his parents.

For these and 23 other young people, the occupation is now in the past. Today, they are undergoing rehabilitation at our Hope and Healing Centers, where they receive psychological support, help with restoring their documents, a safe place to live, and everything necessary to dream and build a future again.

However, thousands of children still remain trapped, forced to forget their roots and openly prepared for war. But we will not stop.

🙏🏻 We are grateful to our partners @klitschko, @tatjanakiel, @weareallukrainians2022, and the Joint Center for Coordinating the Search and Release — together we are bringing Ukrainian children home.

Thanks to Save Ukraine, more than 1,500 children are already home.