Ukrainian children captured and ‘brainwashed’ by Russia in preparation for war tell how they escaped
She added that the children being taken by Russia are “being used as a tool of war” and called for their immediate release and return to their families.
Save Ukraine continues to work tirelessly to rescue as many children as possible, but the situation remains dire for many Ukrainian families who have been torn apart by the conflict.
Rudenko, now 17, is back in Ukraine and is training to be a boxer, hoping to use his experience to help others who have been through similar traumas.
As the conflict in Ukraine rages on, it is crucial to remember the innocent victims like Rudenko and the hundreds of other children who have been taken by Russian forces. The international community must come together to demand the safe return of these children and an end to the horrific practice of kidnapping and re-education camps.
Only then can Ukraine begin to heal and rebuild from the devastation of war.
But for now, Rudenko is focusing on his training and looking towards a brighter future, determined to make a difference in the world and never forget the harrowing experiences he went through at the hands of Russian soldiers.
As he prepares for his next fight in the ring, Rudenko carries with him the strength and resilience of a survivor, ready to face whatever challenges come his way.
After a recent meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, First Lady Melania Trump took matters into her own hands and issued a plea to Putin in a “peace letter.” In the letter, she emphasized the importance of nurturing hope in the next generation and the responsibility of leaders to protect children beyond just a few.
One such individual who took matters into her own hands is Ksenia, a 21-year-old who played a key role in rescuing her 13-year-old brother. Following a raid on their home in Vovchansk, northeastern Ukraine, their foster parents decided to send the teenage brother to Russia to be re-educated by soldiers.
“They told him that Ukraine was full of Nazis who wanted to kill him,” Ksenia explained through a translator. “When I saw him, he was completely brainwashed.”
Determined to bring her brother back, Ksenia embarked on a challenging journey to gather the necessary documentation with the help of officials at Save Ukraine.
Initially hesitant about leaving Russia, her brother eventually agreed to return to Ukraine for a month to see how he felt. After spending time with Ksenia in the capital city of Kyiv, he decided to stay, and they now reside there together. Ksenia, who is pursuing a journalism degree, credits this experience with inspiring her career choice.
“I want to find out the truth,” she said. “I want to know how the war has impacted Ukrainian children.”
