**Four Ukrainian Children Return Home from Russian-Occupied Territory**
Four children have been reunited with their families in Ukraine after being held by Russian forces in the occupied Kherson Oblast. The return of the children was announced on November 15 by regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin.
Prokudin said that the children, aged between 1.7 and 17 years old, were safely returned home thanks to the efforts of a charity organization called “Save Ukraine”. He added that the children are receiving medical and psychological help after experiencing trauma under Russian occupation.
**A Disturbing Trend**
Since Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine began in February 2022, Moscow has taken thousands of Ukrainian children from occupied territories. According to official records, over 19,500 children have been abducted by Russian forces, with less than 390 returning home so far.
**War Crime**
Taking hostages who do not take part in hostilities is a breach of the Geneva Conventions and constitutes a war crime. Ukraine estimates that around 1.5 million of its children remain at risk of being deported to Russia from occupied areas.
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