Ukraine returns 11 abducted children from Russian captivity

The Head of the Office of the President, Andrii Yermak, reports that another group of children had returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity.

"Russians kidnap children and force them to study in Russia. They kill and destroy entire cities…" Yermak stated on Telegram, Rubryka reports. "We work to find abducted children and bring them home. The Bring Kids Back UA action plan developed on the President's instructions unites the efforts of the state and partners."

Yermak added that Ukraine developed mechanisms to reintegrate and adapt children abducted by Russia after successfully returning to their homeland.

"In the last week alone, we returned 11 of our children," said Yermak. Among them are six children who are deprived of parental care, and five have families. The youngest child is two years old, and the oldest is 16.

He noted that out of 750 Ukrainian schools were damaged and completely destroyed by Russian missiles and bombs. 400,000 Ukrainian children study abroad and remain in the Ukrainian education system. Tens of thousands of children were kidnapped by the Russians.

Yermak added that 12,394 schools are still functioning in Ukraine. Of them, 6,577 (53.1%) are full-time with 1,626,827 children, 3,362 (27.1%) are hybrid with 1,112,363, and 2,455 (19.8%) are remote with 883,979. A total of 3,623,169 children study in Ukrainian schools.

"Ukrainian teachers are real heroes because, during the war, they saved the entire world for children — our school," the statement reads. "But justice lies in stopping the genocide. The enemy dresses their children in military uniforms at the start of the educational year because their dictator is crazy and wants to kill us…"

Yermak states that for the Russians, their children are future combat units, ordinary killers. In contrast, Ukraine prepares its children to develop a successful life in a world where knowledge, democratic values, and human rights reign. 

"Even despite the war, we are rebuilding, in difficulties, we are looking for opportunities, including technological ones, so that children can learn," the statement reads.