Two children were successfully brought back from the temporarily occupied territory

As part of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative, Albina* and Viacheslav* were successfully brought back to territory controlled by Ukraine through the joint efforts of the Helping to Leave team.

▪️ Albina lived in the temporarily occupied part of Zaporizhzhia region and desperately wanted to reach territory controlled by Ukraine.

She planned her route independently and made it to the Mokrany–Domanove border crossing, but was unable to cross the border because she did not have a Ukrainian passport.

Albina then reached out to Helping to Leave for assistance. The team advised her on the necessary documents and helped coordinate the rest of her journey. In Minsk, she obtained a certificate of return to Ukraine and was able to continue her journey.

Today, Albina is safely in territory controlled by Ukraine and staying with her relatives.

▪️ Viacheslav learned about Helping to Leave from an acquaintance whom the team had previously helped leave temporarily occupied territory.

He also asked the team for assistance. Helping to Leave helped him coordinate his route and provided support throughout his departure.

During the journey, Viacheslav also helped his friend by bringing her two cats with him. Upon his arrival in territory controlled by Ukraine, the Helping to Leave team met him and helped arrange temporary accommodation.

Viacheslav is now restoring his documents and planning his future in Ukraine. Both cats have been reunited with their owner.

We thank the Joint Centre for Coordination of Search and Release of Prisoners of War for its assistance and cooperation in the return of the children.

\*All names have been changed for security reasons.