Themes by tag: children

A presentation of the study “The deportation and forced displacement of Ukrainian children from occupied territories through the lens of changing russian propaganda narratives”, will be held at the Media Center Ukraine on September 11.

russia is systematically deporting Ukrainian children from occupied territories, depriving them of their national identity, family ties, and future. Meanwhile, the Kremlin is launching a large-scale propaganda campaign to justify or conceal these crimes.

The study demonstrates how russian narratives have evolved — from outright denial of deportations to attempts to portray them as “humanitarian aid” or “rescue missions”. The study focuses on the fate of children as tools of information warfare and the challenges faced by Ukrainian society and the international community.

During the event:

• The authors will present the study’s key findings;
• Experts will explain why russia uses children in propaganda;
• Participants will discuss strategies for shifting narratives and effectively countering disinformation.

Speakers include:

• Authors of the study;
• Representatives of the Bring Kids Back UA initiative;
• Experts in countering propaganda and disinformation.

Registration is required for the event.

Background: The study was conducted with financial support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). The content of the publication reflects the authors’ views and does not necessarily represent NED’s position.

• children
• occupation
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

On September 1, three new underground schools opened in Kharkiv. The city now has a total of 18 secure educational locations: seven underground schools, six metro stations equipped with classrooms, and shelters set up in educational institutions.

Background: Due to constant russian shelling of Kharkiv, in September 2023, children began studying in the city’s underground metro system, where special classrooms were set up at several stations. In May 2024, Kharkiv launched its first dedicated underground school.

• children
• Kharkiv

Since childhood, Sofiia had looked after her cousins and played with her neighbors’ young daughter. She often imagined welcoming a child deprived of parental care into her family one day. In 2020, when she turned 20, Sofiia applied to become a mentor for a child from an orphanage because she knew she wasn’t ready for adoption at such a young age.

After a year, she completed her training and received approval from the social services center on February 21, 2022. However, the full-scale war began shortly thereafter, putting her mentorship dreams on hold.

Two years later, she received a call offering her the chance to meet 12-year-old Alina from the Donetsk oblast. Alina has younger brothers who live with her in the orphanage, but there are no adults who maintain contact with her.

Today, Sofiia helps Alina socialize. Their meetings include practical lessons, such as shopping, budgeting, cooking, and using computer programs, as well as emotional support and help with schoolwork.

Journalists can arrange to speak with Sofiia Yudina online or in person in Kyiv or Odesa by prior agreement. Sofiia can also provide joint photos with Alina for publication. Please note that journalists will not be able to speak directly with Alina.

• children
• Kyiv
• Odesa

The Media Center Ukraine to host briefing: “The Return of Ukrainian Children Abducted by russia as a Step Toward Peace: How the International Community Can Accelerate the Process”

Participants:

– Kateryna Rashevska, PhD in International Law, Expert at the Regional Center for Human Rights. 

Key topics:

– The current status of efforts to return Ukrainian children abducted by russia: statistics and progress;

– How has the repatriation process for Ukrainian children evolved today?

– Who is currently involved in returning Ukrainian children from russia and how?

• children
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

The 2nd International Scientific and Practical Conference on Pediatric Palliative Care, “Butterflies of Hope”, will be held in Chernivtsi at the “City of Goodness” on August 15-16.

The event will bring together leading experts from Ukraine and Europe to discuss the lives of children with severe and incurable diagnoses who fight daily for their right to an adequate childhood.

The conference will feature specialists in pediatric neurology, anesthesiology, palliative pediatrics, physical therapy, transportation of children with palliative needs, and outpatient care. Discussions will also focus on upholding the rights of palliative children, respecting their dignity, and ensuring their safety in challenging life circumstances.

Background: The “House of Butterflies” medical center is part of the “City of Goodness” — a unique space where children with incurable illnesses receive not only medical care but also comprehensive support, including psychological, rehabilitative, educational, and daily living assistance. The mission of the “City of Goodness” is to create a large-scale safe space offering holistic support to women and children facing difficult life circumstances. This includes helping children displaced by war, families affected by violence, and children in need of palliative care or rehabilitation.

• children
• Chernivtsi

The Terentiev family lived a normal life in Chernihiv, northern Ukraine, until March 16, 2022, when a russian shelling attack claimed the life of Dmytro’s mother, Tetiana. Moments earlier, she had left her son in the care of her mother, Mariia, intending to return shortly after collecting a few belongings. She never came back.

Mariia became Dmytro’s guardian. Together, they fled the besieged city and, months later, returned to begin rebuilding their damaged home and resuming daily life.

In early 2023, Dmytro’s father, Roman, enlisted in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. By June, he was reported missing in action. A photograph later appeared on a russian website, showing a man with visible bruises, identified as Roman, in captivity. 

Today, Mariia says her attention is focused entirely on her grandson. Dmytro is a capable and inquisitive student with strong skills in mathematics and computer science. He plays the piano, looks after his collection of cacti, and aspires to create content as a YouTuber. Above all, he hopes for peace and the chance to see his father again.

Interviews with Dmytro in Chernihiv can be arranged in advance.

For reference: The Children of Heroes charitable foundation is currently supporting the family. The organization assists children who have lost one or both parents due to russia’s full-scale invasion by providing financial aid, psychological and legal support, and resources for education and personal development until they reach adulthood.

• children
• dead
• russian crimes
• Chernihiv

Volodymyr Dubrovets, a soldier from Ukraine’s Zhytomyr region and former Azov Regiment fighter with the call sign “Wolf,” became the legal guardian of his brother’s eight children following a fatal car accident in December 2022.

The children’s parents died when their vehicle veered off a forest road and struck a mine. The explosion killed both adults, leaving behind eight children. At the time, the eldest was 14 years old; the youngest, a two-and-a-half-month-old infant.

Volodymyr, who was 24 at the time and unmarried, had not planned to raise a large family. After assuming custody of his nieces and nephews, he later married. He and his wife Diana are now also raising a young son together. The entire family lives in the house built by Volodymyr’s late brother.

Looking ahead, Dubrovets plans to revive his brother’s business. 

He is available for interviews both online and in person in the Zhytomyr region, by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• children
• dead
• Zhytomyr

Kateryna Iorhu is 16 years old. At the start of russia’s full-scale invasion, she and her family wanted to leave the Donetsk oblast for Vinnytsia, as their hometown of Druzhkivka had become unsafe. On April 8, 2022, Kateryna, her mother, and her younger sister travelled to the Kramatorsk railway station to wait for an evacuation train. That day, the russians struck the station with a “Tochka-U” missile, targeting civilians. The attack killed 61 people and injured 121. 

Kateryna’s mother was killed instantly in the blast. Kateryna herself miraculously survived because a man, whose name she never learned, threw himself over her, absorbing the shrapnel and blast impact. He died, but his selfless act ensured the young girl’s survival. Kateryna suffered severe shrapnel wounds to both legs and still faces immense challenges walking, requiring ongoing rehabilitation and medical support.

Journalists may interview Kateryna in Kyiv by prior agreement.

Background: The Children of Heroes charitable foundation supports children who have lost one or both parents due to the war. The foundation provides immediate, personalized assistance, including humanitarian aid, psychological and medical support, and educational and developmental opportunities for children until they reach adulthood.

• casualties
• children
• dead
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

The “Voices of Children” Charitable Foundation is now accepting applications for new summer sessions of the “Voices Camp” for teenagers aged 10–15. This two-week retreat in a picturesque mountain setting offers children a chance to relax among peers, receive psychological support, and participate in team-building activities and creative workshops.

Registration is currently open for the final sessions of this summer:

Session 5: August 8–22

Session 6: August 24–September 6

The camp will be held in Chernivtsi oblast. Priority is given to children of military personnel, those affected by russian armed aggression, and residents of frontline areas. Participation is free of charge.

Journalists may arrange to speak with the organizers and, if possible, with children attending the camp, by prior agreement.

• casualties
• children

Artem Yakovlev is both a serviceman and president of the Kherson regional club of traditional Okinawan Goju-ryu karate-do.

He signed a contract with the Defense Forces even before the full-scale invasion, inspired after one of his students enlisted. 

Artem first saw combat in Donetsk oblast. Meanwhile, his karate club became a shelter for locals during occupation. Among those hiding there were eight conscripts from the Skadovsk garrison. Artem’s wife convinced russian occupiers they were merely athletes.

After Kherson’s liberation in fall 2023, Artem resumed training. He now teaches 18 students, holding sessions twice weekly – though he always confirms availability, as military duty sometimes interrupts.

You can contact Artem Yakovlev online or in-person in Kherson by prior arrangement.

• children
• military
• occupation
• Kherson