Three Ukrainian children have returned from the temporarily occupied territories of Kherson region
Three more Ukrainian children have returned home from the temporarily occupied part of Kherson oblast, announced Oleksandr Prokudin, the head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration. This is an important victory in the fight to bring back Ukrainian citizens who were illegally deported by Russian occupiers during the prolonged unlawful occupation of the region. Since the beginning of the year, a total of 46 children who fell victim to Russian aggression and illegal actions have been brought back. According to Prokudin, among those rescued are teenagers aged 12 to 16, but a particularly notable story is that of a 9-year-old boy who was subjected to occupation at an early age. Remarkably, this young boy maintained a strongly pro-Ukrainian stance despite enduring torture and intimidation from Russian security forces and their agents. As the head of the regional administration explains, the child did not hesitate to defend Ukraine’s position even under pressure from officers of the Federal Security Service (FSB). It is known that the child’s family often received threats, including threats to remove the son from the mother using modern methods of psychological and physical pressure. Despite these threats, the boy remained steadfast and refused to participate in pro-Russian activities, sing the Russian national anthem, or obey the occupying authorities. Currently, all three rescued children are in safety, receiving comprehensive medical care and psychological support. These measures aim to facilitate their recovery and integration into peaceful life. According to qualified specialists, psychological rehabilitation is critically important for young victims of violence and deportation, considering the trauma and fear they have endured. This story is yet another confirmation that Ukraine does not leave its citizens in distress and actively works to return every child who has been abducted or taken out of the occupied territories. It is important to note that such efforts are systemic and part of a broader international campaign to bring back Ukrainian children forcibly deported by Russia from occupied regions. Overall, the global community supports Ukraine’s stance on the necessity of returning all abducted children, as confirmed by the resolution adopted by the European Parliament on May 8. The document emphasizes the importance of international pressure to halt deportations and facilitate the return of Ukrainian citizens home. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for human rights and Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty and territorial integrity.