Alla had to endure interrogations, bullying, and cynical humiliation because she just wanted to bring her 13-year-old son back from the occupied Crimea.

The story of Danylo’s abduction began in October 2022, when the collaborating principal of Kherson School #27 suggested that the students go on a “vacation” to Crimea. At that time, it was dangerous to stay in the occupied city, as the russians were constantly provoking civilians before the arrival of the Ukrainian army. So, for the sake of her son’s safety, Alla decided to send Danylo away from the fighting.

However, the director lied to the parents about the duration of their children’s “vacation,” and after two weeks, none of them were returned. For the next six months, Alla searched for ways to get her son Danik back, contacting various authorities and services, calling the administration, but to no avail. She had no way of getting her son back on her own.

Meanwhile, Danylo was in the Crimean camp “Druzhba” in Yevpatoriya. There were 1 shower and 1 toilet per floor in poor condition. However, every morning began with the russian anthem. And every week, young Ukrainians were obliged to have “conversations about important things” where they imposed their fictional history of russia. Children were constantly intimidated and harassed. They were forbidden to speak Ukrainian. And those who in any way manifested a Ukrainian position were shouted at and had educational conversations with. Ukrainian children had to appreciate the “kindness” that russia had done for them.

After 3 months, Danylo was transferred to the Luchisty camp, known for its harsh conditions and torture chambers for children. The food there was terrible, the heating was cut in the winter, and young Ukrainians were forced to work – to clean up garbage on the beach for russian children. But the worst thing is that the children were threatened that they would soon be sent to an orphanage and placed in foster families in russia. And the boys who turned 14 would be forced to get russian passports, with which they would never be allowed to enter Ukraine.

Alla also learned about a russian program under which, after receiving russian citizenship, Ukrainian boys will be sent to study at the Suvorov School. There they will be trained for war against their homeland. Fortunately, Danylo managed to get and pass on to his mother the contacts of our organization Save Ukraine. And the woman turned to us for help in time.

Alla’s journey to the camp was not easy. First, the mothers were interrogated for 14 hours by the FSB at the moscow airport, and then in Yevpatoria, they were forced to give a “joyful” interview to the propaganda channel russia1, thanking russia for the children’s “good rest.” It was at this time that the russian ombudsman was giving an exculpatory press conference for her crimes after the ICC issued an arrest warrant for her.

The women were allowed to enter the camp with their children one by one, and were subjected to psychological pressure, so to say anything contrary to the camera meant losing their child and freedom forever. So for the sake of her son, Alla was forced to put on a smile and thank russia. But she will never forget the most terrifying six months of her life, when she tried to bring her Danya home.

Returning to Ukraine by bus, she was able to sleep for the first time, right in the bus, on the seat.