Another 14 children have been returned to territory controlled by Ukraine
Another 14 children were successfully returned from the temporarily occupied part of the Kherson region to territory controlled by Ukraine. Among them are four boys and ten girls aged 6 to 17, as well as one adult who was among the children deprived of parental care. Some of the children endured pressure from the occupiers, including attempts to enlist a teenager in the military and restrict their ability to study under the Ukrainian curriculum. According to Oleksandr Prokudin, all of them are now safe and receiving the necessary assistance.
Another 14 children were returned from the temporarily occupied part of the Kherson region to territory controlled by Ukraine. This was reported by the head of the Kherson Regional State Administration, Oleksandr Prokudin. He shared the information on his Telegram channel. Among those who were successfully evacuated are four boys and ten girls. Their ages range from 6 to 17 years old. One adult—one of the children who had previously been deprived of parental care—was also returned to government-controlled territory.
According to Prokudin, the children were living under constant pressure from the occupying regime. They faced restrictions on their education, surveillance, and other risks.
Attempts Were Made to Enlist a Teenager in the Military
Among those rescued is a 16-year-old boy whom, according to Prokudin, the Russian occupiers attempted to register for military service. For Ukrainian children remaining in the temporarily occupied territories, this is not an isolated risk. Russian authorities in the occupied territories are implementing a policy of forced passport issuance, attempting to enroll children in the Russian education system, and tightening control over teenagers. Ukrainian authorities and human rights organizations have previously reported similar cases.
Another girl was rescued—a 17-year-old who wanted to continue her Ukrainian education. According to Prokudin, doing so under occupation was difficult due to constant surveillance and risks. They also managed to bring back a 10-year-old girl who dreamed of returning home and did everything she could to get to safety. Prokudin did not disclose all the details regarding how exactly each child’s return took place. In such situations, evacuation routes and circumstances are often kept confidential for security reasons.
Who Helped Bring the Children Home
The return took place as part of the presidential initiative “Bring Kids Back UA.” The charity organization Save Ukraine also joined the effort. Save Ukraine has repeatedly helped bring Ukrainian children back from the temporarily occupied territories. The organization reported that after their return, the children undergo a reintegration process and receive the necessary support.
Such operations are carried out regularly. For example, in September, groups of children were already returned from the occupied part of the Kherson region—specifically, 10 children at the beginning of the month and another 5 at the end of September. The Kherson regional authorities note that each such return requires separate coordination and work with families, as leaving the temporarily occupied territories remains difficult and dangerous.
The children are now safe
Upon their return, all the children and their families are safe, according to the head of the Kherson Regional State Administration. They are receiving the necessary assistance, including medical, psychological, and social support. It is also important to help the children return to normal schooling and daily life after their experiences under occupation.
Ukrainian organizations and government agencies already have experience working with such families. Upon their return, the children are assisted in restoring their documents, resolving educational issues, and, if necessary, receiving psychological support. In previous reports, Save Ukraine has covered the support provided to children at the “Hope and Recovery” centers.
How Many Children Have Already Been Returned
According to Prokudin, 204 children have already been returned from the temporarily occupied part of the Kherson region since the beginning of 2026. This is not the first such group this year. In August and September, the Kherson Regional State Administration repeatedly reported on the return of children from the occupied territories. Specifically, on August 31, 13 children were returned, and on September 14, another 10.
The return of children from the occupied territories remains one of the priorities for Ukrainian authorities and charitable organizations. This involves not only evacuation but also providing ongoing assistance to families after their return. Oleksandr Prokudin thanked the Save Ukraine team, the Office of the President, the relevant government agencies, and all partner organizations that are helping to bring Ukrainian children home.
For each family, this return means the opportunity to be together again and to live free from constant occupation control. At the same time, efforts to return children from the temporarily occupied territories continue.
