Thousands of Ukrainian children are being illegally detained in Russia. It is impossible to establish their exact number, but it is clear that a huge number of them have been taken by force, illegally, and in inhumane ways. The question arises: how to bring the kids home? The Pryame Vklyuchennya charity foundation knows the answer.

Where are the occupiers taking little Ukrainians?

Specialists from the Center for Human Rights say that kidnapped Ukrainian children have been taken to at least 7 regions of Russia: Dagestan, Sakhalin, Murmansk, etc. The parents of some of them died, and others – have joined the defense of our state. There have also been cases where the children's guardians were openly intimidated into voluntarily sending their children "to Gelendzhik for rehabilitation. After that, minor citizens of Ukraine were transported to another place so that no one could find them.

It is also cynical that the Russian authorities openly report sending kidnapped children to orphanages or even their legal registration in foster families. Officials of the terrorist country are not concerned about the fact that these children have living parents who did not abandon them.

What parents/guardians of children trafficked to Russia should do

Experts say that the main thing to bring a child home is to cooperate with specialists. First of all, you should contact the police. They will direct you to the regional headquarters for the search for abducted children.

You can also apply in the state portal "Children of War". There are regular updates on missing children.

It is not recommended to ask for help from social media users. Firstly, if the child's parents are military personnel, this will greatly complicate the process of return. Secondly, the publicity may reach the people who have been granted "custody" of your child. After that, finding your loved one will be much more difficult.

While the police and special services are working on the search, make sure you have a foreign passport. It will be useful to have the baby's birth certificate. Our young fellow citizens are often found in so-called "rehabilitation camps" in Yevpatoria, Sochi, Gelendzhik, and other cities controlled by the Russian Federation. Once you arrive at this facility and show the child's documents, you will most likely be able to take him or her back to Ukraine. But remember that such actions should be taken only in coordination with law enforcement.

Finally, the charitable foundation "Pryame Vklyuchennya" reminds us that once the child was actually in the occupation, he was subjected to various manipulations, bullying, and intimidation. The best option would be therapy with a psychologist. In turn, do not forget to remind the little one that he/she is not to blame for what happened, and the worst is left behind – the child is at home, you were waiting, and never stop loving your kid.