Since March, ten young Ukrainians aged 18 to 19 have successfully returned from the temporarily occupied territories and the Russian Federation. Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets reported this milestone on Thursday, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian efforts to rescue young citizens from Russian assimilation and forced conscription.
Despite spending formative years under occupation and intense hostile propaganda, these teenagers made a conscious choice to pursue their futures in free Ukraine. They express a strong desire to enroll in Ukrainian universities, build careers, and live in a democratic society. Reaching the age of 18 is a critical threshold under occupation, as Russian administrations frequently target this demographic for forced conscription into the Russian military, effectively forcing them to fight against their own country.
Lubinets shared a poignant story of a young man who was only 14 when his hometown was occupied. While his sister managed to escape to Odesa, he remained behind to help his parents care for his terminally ill grandmother. Over the years, the lack of freedom and development opportunities became unbearable, prompting him to make the difficult decision to flee. Today, he is reunited with his sister in Odesa, safe and looking toward the future.
The systemic transfer and retention of Ukrainian youth by the Russian Federation remains a major international concern. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has recognized the deportation of Ukrainian children as war crimes and crimes against humanity. Currently, the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine is investigating more than 19,000 documented cases of forced deportation of children to Russia.
The return of these ten individuals represents a significant victory in the humanitarian domain. However, thousands of Ukrainian children and young adults remain trapped under Russian control, facing systematic efforts to erase their national identity. The Ukrainian government, alongside international partners, continues to seek diplomatic and legal avenues to secure the release of all deported citizens.