Two 17-year-olds have been evacuated from Russian-occupied territories: The girl secretly studied the Ukrainian curriculum, while the boy lived in isolation for more than two years

The Ukrainian Child Rights Network, along with the Humanity volunteer initiative, has helped return two 17-year-olds, Aliona and Artem, from Russian-occupied territory, the initiative of the President of Ukraine, Bring Kids Back UA, reported. 

Photo credit: Bring Kids Back UA initiative

In April, Aliona’s teacher contacted the Ukrainian Child Rights Network hotline. She said her student was still living under occupation and was searching for a way to leave so she could take Ukraine’s national multi-subject test and apply to a Ukrainian university.

Despite the danger, the risk of being exposed, and unstable internet access, the girl secretly continued studying online at a Ukrainian school. Her family concealed this because acquaintances had already faced persecution over their children studying under the Ukrainian curriculum.

Specialists spent nearly two months arranging a safe route for Aliona and her grandmother to leave the occupied territory. They are now in territory controlled by Ukraine.

The initiative also helped return 17-year-old Artem. The boy wanted to leave before turning 18 because of the risk of forced conscription into the Russian army.

After finishing the ninth grade, Artem was unable to continue his online studies at his Ukrainian school due to unstable internet access. At the same time, he refused to attend a Russian school.

As a result, he effectively lived in social isolation for more than two years, rarely leaving home and barely communicating with other people.

Eventually, he decided to leave for Ukrainian-controlled territory to begin a new life.

The teenagers will now undergo adaptation and reintegration. They will receive psychological support, assistance with documents, and guidance to help them rebuild a safe and stable life.

Last week, the Save Ukraine charitable organisation evacuated seven children and teenagers from temporarily occupied territories.

To provide background, on 11 May 2026, the Council of the European Union adopted restrictive measures against 16 individuals and seven entities responsible for the deportation, forced transfer, and systematic indoctrination of Ukrainian children.

Among the listed entities are three federal educational institutions operating under Russia’s Ministry of Education – the All-Russian Children’s Centres Orlyonok, Scarlet Sails, and Smena – which host Ukrainian minors transferred from occupied territories and expose them to pro-Russian indoctrination and military-oriented activities. 

Since the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia is estimated to have deported and forcibly transferred nearly 20,500 Ukrainian children. These actions constitute grave breaches of international law and a violation of the fundamental rights of the child and aim to erase Ukrainian identity and undermine the preservation of its future generations, the Council of the European Union stated.

Also listed are the Nakhimov Naval School, whose branches in Sevastopol and Mariupol recruit Ukrainian minors into military-oriented programmes, the DOSAAF Centre in Sevastopol, and the Military-Patriotic Club “Patriot” in Crimea. Listed individuals include regional children’s rights ombudsmen who coordinated the placement of deported Ukrainian children with Russian families, and occupation officials responsible for military-patriotic youth policy.

Listings also include officials and politicians from territories illegally occupied by Russia, as well as various heads of youth camps and military-patriotic clubs and organisations. They are all responsible for promoting patriotic and military education among young people through ideological indoctrination, exposure to Russian military culture, paramilitary training, and participation in events glorifying Russia’s war of aggression.

All listed persons are subject to asset freezes and travel bans.

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