Twenty-three Ukrainian children and teenagers have been rescued from Russian-occupied areas and returned to Ukrainian-controlled territory, according to Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Among those rescued were two sisters who reportedly refused to attend Russian-run schools and were threatened with separation from their mother by local authorities installed by Moscow.
Ukrainian officials claim that Russia has illegally deported or forcibly transferred more than 19,500 children to Russia and Belarus, in violation of the Geneva Conventions. Research from Yale School of Public Health suggests the number could be as high as 35,000.
Russia denies the allegations, saying the children were evacuated for their safety amid ongoing hostilities.