UKRAINE, Nov. 5 – Ukraine brought eight people back from occupied territories, including children, and those who turned 18 on occupied territories, reported Bring Kids Back UA, Ukraine’s presidential initiative. 

Andrii Yermak, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, in his column for Washington Examiner published оn Nov. 4, said that Ukraine returned 1,774 children from occupied territories since Russia invaded Ukraine. 

Among those who have been returned is David, an 11-years-old. He hasn’t left his home in occupation for four years — he was hiding from his neighbours. His mother was afraid that the Russians would find out about her son’s online education at a Ukrainian school and force him to attend a Russian school, or even take him away from his family.

Also, Ukraine returned an 18-years-old Matvii. Russia forced him and his elder brother to register for military service. 

Vsevolod, a 17-years-old, and Yeva, a 15-years-old who were bullied in Russian school, also came back home. The children couldn’t stand Russian education and refused to attend classes. Because of their missed classes and disobedience, their parents were repeatedly summoned to meetings with the commission on children’s affairs. The family paid fines three times — 500, 1,000, and 1,500 rubles — for allegedly failing to fulfill their parental responsibilities.

Myroslav, a 21-years-old, was also returned to Ukraine. He endured searches and threats in his own home. Russian services suspected him of working for the Ukrainian military.

“After the search, they took him to the police station, where they tortured him and threatened to rape his mother, girlfriend, and grandmother in front of him if he did not confess,” Bring Kids Back UA said.

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