Bringing Hope and Healing to War-Affected Orphans

The ongoing war in Ukraine continues to affect the lives of countless children, many of whom remain trapped in occupied territories or have been forcibly deported to Russia. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Save Ukraine has successfully returned 582 children, including 131 orphans. Between September 2024 and January 2025, Save Ukraine repatriated 22 orphaned children from Russia and temporarily occupied territories. At the Hope and Healing Center, children receive the necessary support to rebuild their lives. Some children leave the center with their guardians after completing rehabilitation, while others are placed with new families. Every rescued child ultimately finds a loving home. As of early February, the center houses 15 orphans and children deprived of parental care.

One of these children is 15-year-old Mark (name changed for security reasons) from Hola Prystan. In early September, armed Russian soldiers stormed his home, kidnapped his mother, and subjected the family to intimidation. Disguised in civilian clothes, wearing masks and balaclavas, they confiscated phones, conducted searches, and refused to provide any legal justification for the abduction. When Mark’s father demanded documentation, a soldier merely pointed to his gun and asked, "Is this not enough for you?" The whereabouts of Mark’s mother remain unknown. Authorities in the occupied territories have refused to disclose any information, claiming that "such organizations do not report to the Ministry of Internal Affairs." Later, the family was shown a photograph of the mother holding a sign that read, "I renounce my family and do not wish to disclose my location." Mark, however, refuses to believe this, certain that the message was written under duress. His father and grandmother remain distraught, struggling to cope with the situation.

The trauma deepened when Russian forces began targeting Mark’s older sister, Sophia (name changed for security reasons), who had fled to Odesa. They used their mother's phone to call her at midnight, demanding a video call. When she complied, she was horrified to see a masked soldier on the screen before the camera shifted to reveal her mother, chained to a metal pipe, pleading for forgiveness. The soldiers then issued an ultimatum: if Sophia wanted to secure her mother’s release, she had to provide intelligence on Ukrainian military positions, air defense systems, and missile strike locations. When she refused, communication was cut off. Later, on a day when Odesa suffered severe missile attacks, she received a chilling message from her mother’s number: "How are you, my daughter? What’s new?" It was clear that the kidnappers were attempting to extract information.

Despite these horrors, Mark managed to escape and was rescued by Save Ukraine. He now resides at the Hope and Healing Center, where he is receiving psychological support, education, and legal assistance. His sister surprised him by traveling to Kyiv to welcome him home. Currently living in Odesa and studying customs management at an economics university in Poltava, she hopes to save enough money to relocate with her brother to their relatives in Poland. Meanwhile, Mark dreams of studying cybersecurity and working in law enforcement to prevent similar human rights violations in the future.

Another heartbreaking case is that of 14-year-old Lily (name changed for security reasons), who was left orphaned after her mother’s death. Abandoned by her biological father before birth and later rejected by her stepfather, she found herself completely alone. With no guardians and no support, she struggled to survive in a nearly empty home, relying on occasional help from neighbors and wages earned through manual labor. Afraid of being taken to a Russian orphanage or placed with a Russian family, she avoided contacting occupation authorities. Before her mother’s death, she had been forcibly enrolled in a Russian school for three weeks, where she witnessed soldiers living in classrooms, using children as human shields, and training students in weapon handling. Teachers spread propaganda, mocked children for speaking Ukrainian, and pressured them to adopt Russian identity.

One month ago, occupation officials arrived at Lily’s home to issue her a Russian passport. She had no choice but to comply. Fortunately, a family friend contacted Save Ukraine, which swiftly arranged her rescue. She now resides at the Hope and Healing Center, undergoing rehabilitation. Our team is actively working to find her a new family that will provide the love and stability she deserves.

At the Hope and Healing Center, all rescued children receive specialized rehabilitation, including therapy, educational support, and creative activities. They are provided with nutritious meals, safe shelter, and emotional guidance to help them heal. Every child undergoes an individualized reintegration process, ensuring they can return to normal life. Some stay for a few months, while others require longer care—up to six months or more. Our ultimate goal is to stabilize their emotional well-being, connect them with relatives or foster families, and give them the chance to grow up in loving homes.

Save Ukraine continues its mission, but the need remains urgent. Hundreds of children are still trapped in occupied territories or held in Russia. With adequate support, we can rescue more children, provide them with safety and care, and ensure that no child is left behind. Together, we can bring them home and restore their futures.

Thank you for your support!

Links:

• https://saveukraineua.org/
• https://www.saveukraineua.org/news/8-children-rescued-from-temporarily-occupied-crimea/