Seven more Ukrainian children and teenagers return from occupied territories

According to Ukrinform, Bring Kids Back UA stated this on Facebook.

Among them is 17-year-old Solomiia. FSB officers broke into her home, conducted an illegal search, and inspected electronic devices while pointing weapons at her mother. They threatened to take Solomiia to a boarding school and send her mother "to the basement." After the ordeal, the girl began suffering from panic attacks and severe insomnia.

Eighteen-year-old Artem was handcuffed to a radiator by military police and tortured for two hours for speaking Ukrainian. He was beaten with rubber batons on his torso and legs, had plastic restraints tightened on his hands, and was threatened with death while being called a derogatory slur.

Eighteen-year-old Kostia had faced religious persecution since childhood in his Protestant community and humiliation at school because of his faith. He was forced to register for military service and undergo ideological testing regarding his attitude toward the Russian army. He was soon to be conscripted for mandatory service.

Eighteen-year-old Ostap repeatedly heard threats at school from a teacher who cooperated with security services. The teacher openly stated: "I can make it so that any of you simply disappear." The young man also witnessed repeated bullying of children for their pro-Ukrainian stance.

Today, all the rescued children and teenagers are safe. At the "Hope and Recovery" centers, they are receiving psychological support, assistance with documents, and housing.

As Ukrinform reported, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that as of February 17, 2026, the number of children returned from Russian-controlled territories under the Bring Kids Back UA initiative has reached 2,000.

Photo: Bring Kids Back UA