Fifteen children have been evacuated from temporarily occupied territories in Ukraine as part of the Bring Kids Back UA initiative, launched by the Ukrainian President. This operation aims to assist minors who have faced significant threats and challenges under occupation.
Among those evacuated are 18-year-old Mykyta, who sought refuge from forced conscription into the Russian army; 17-year-old Ivan, whose family faced ongoing threats from occupying authorities; and 13-year-old Daria, who was at risk of being separated from her parents and placed in an orphanage.
According to Bring Kids Back UA, these children are currently undergoing reintegration at centers known as “Hope and Recovery,” where they receive psychological support, assistance with documentation, safe shelter, and care necessary for a fresh start.
As of June 9, 2026, the initiative reports that a total of 2,232 children have been returned to Ukraine from Russia and occupied territories.
Context on Child Abductions by Russia
Ukraine’s Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Daria Gerasimchuk, previously reported that by the end of March 2023, over 19,500 children had been taken from occupied territories to Russia. Accurate counting remains difficult due to ongoing occupation.
On April 5, 2023, representatives from 49 countries condemned Russia for organizing a Security Council meeting regarding the alleged legal justifications for the abduction of Ukrainian children. The United Kingdom blocked the broadcast of Russian children’s rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova’s speech on UN platforms, calling for accountability in The Hague.
The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine has indicated that there is currently no transparent mechanism or algorithm to facilitate the return of deported Ukrainian children from Russia.
On March 17, 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, suspecting them of illegal deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children.
Recent evacuations of Ukrainian children from occupied territories highlight ongoing efforts to address the challenges faced by minors under occupation. Despite international condemnation of child abductions, the return process remains complex and fraught with obstacles.