Thirteen more children have been returned from the occupied part of Kherson region to Ukrainian-controlled territory.
This was announced by the head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration, Oleksandr Prokudin.
“Another 13 children have been returned to Ukrainian-controlled territory from the temporarily occupied part of Kherson region,” he said.
The group includes five girls and eight boys aged between 3 and 17. Among them is one child deprived of parental care. According to Prokudin, all of them endured pressure, threats, and fear as a result of Russian aggression.
He said that some of the children were intimidated by Russians dressed in Ukrainian military uniforms who threatened them with execution. Others, despite having health problems, were forced by the occupation authorities to register for military service. Teenagers were openly prepared for war, receiving training at military grounds where they were taught to dig trenches, shoot firearms, and throw grenades.
Prokudin stressed that the occupation is now behind these children. They are currently undergoing reintegration at “Hope and Recovery” centers, where they receive psychological support, assistance with documents, safe shelter, and care.
The return was carried out within the framework of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative, with the assistance of the charitable organization Save Ukraine.
