UKRAINE, Oct. 21 — Ukraine returned two men from occupied territories, which had been under occupation since 2022, reported Bring Kids Back UA, Ukraine’s presidential initiative.

In August 2025, as part of the presidential initiative, Ukraine managed to return 101 children who had been deported, forcibly relocated, or held in the temporarily occupied territory by Russia. A total of 1,600 children have been returned so far.

One of the displaced individuals, Yevhen, is 18-year-old. His city came under occupation at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. In the following weeks, local systems were restructured: school curricula were modified, teachers were required to follow Russian educational standards, and the use of the Ukrainian language was restricted.

Yevhen planned to enter a Ukrainian university, but under occupation, the only available path was education based on the Russian model, which did not allow for alternative choices. When the opportunity to leave appeared, he took it. Now Yevhen is in Ukraine, reunited with his family and friends. 

Among those rescued is also Danylo, 20-year-old, who spent nearly three years living under conditions of isolation and constant pressure. He witnessed people being forced to obtain Russian passports, and young men being conscripted into the Russian army.

Currently, all those returned are safe. According to Bring Kids Back UA, they are receiving psychological support, assistance with documentation, housing, and necessary care.

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