29 children were returned to Ukraine from the territories temporarily occupied by Russia as part of the Bring Kids Back UA initiative.

This was announced by the head of the Save Ukraine public organization Mykola Kuleba,  Censor.NET reports .

It is noted that over the past three years, all of these children have been forced to endure oppression, coercion, and the imposition of Russian propaganda.

In particular, 14-year-old Yulia and 9-year-old Eva, whose mother died during the occupation, were returned from the orphanage. Their relatives wanted to take custody of the sisters, but the occupation authorities came up with a reason to delay the process and take the children to a boarding school. Fortunately, the adult sister Tamila turned to Save Ukraine for help and was able to take the girls to a safe place.

Kuleba said that other children – 9-year-old Yarinka and 13-year-old Makar – during the three years of occupation managed to experience all the methods of Russian education: every morning — the anthem of the Russian Federation, every week — “conversations about something important,” every holiday — drawings and letters to the Russian military.

Soldiers came to the children’s lessons, showed them their weapons and drones. The children could not refuse all this, because the parents were threatened with removal to a boarding school. However, the family still had to endure humiliation: when the parents were given Russian passports, they were forced to recite an oath on camera.

They also managed to return 17-year-old David, who was conscripted by the occupiers despite heart problems. His parents are believers, and despite the occupation, they continued to gather the community at home. The boy’s father drove people from neighboring villages, preached, and administered communion.

David and his younger sister were forced to attend a Russian school, where the children were required to participate in the war game “Zarnitsa.” But when the mother did not let the children participate, she was summoned to a parent-teacher meeting and publicly humiliated, Kuleba says.

All children are currently undergoing rehabilitation at the centers. They are being helped with documents, psychological support, and basic humanitarian assistance. Джерело: https://censor.net/ua/n3572516

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