Ukraine 18-Year-Old Who Nearly Faced Russian Conscription Returns... Over 300 Returnees from 'Forced Relocation'

Mrs. Zelenska Posts on Telegram

On the 9th (local time), Olena Zelenska, wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, revealed that hundreds of Ukrainian children who were forcibly relocated to Russia during the war have returned to their homeland.

On the same day, Zelenska posted on her Telegram channel, stating, "Out of approximately 20,000 children kidnapped to Russia, we have succeeded in repatriating 387."

Mrs. Kim Keon-hee taking a commemorative photo with Mrs. Zelenska.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Zelenska attended a child return event held at the Ukrainian Child Rights Protection Center, where she met and encouraged the freed children.

In the case of Bohdan Yermokin (18), he was taken to Russia along with other children from the orphanage where he was staying when he was 17. While living in a boarding school in Russia, after his birthday passed and he turned a year older, he was about to receive a military conscription notice from the Russian authorities. He was at risk of being deployed to the front lines and forced to point a gun at his compatriots, but with the help of those around him, he safely escaped and was able to return home.

Zelenska explained that Ukraine did not have direct contact with Russia during the rescue process, and that the operation was made possible thanks to international cooperation involving third-country officials. She pointed out that a significant number of the kidnapped children are orphans or in situations where they cannot receive parental support.

She said, "We are placing great hope in a child rescue operation proposed by Canada a month ago, which will soon be implemented," adding, "We must ensure that all children can return."