Key points
- Since March 2026, the Ombudsman’s Office and the IOM have evacuated 10 young Ukrainians aged 18-19 from TOT and Russia.
- All evacuees want to study at Ukrainian universities and build their future in Ukraine.
- The Ombudsman calls on Ukrainians from TOT to seek help with evacuation.
Since March 2026, the Office of the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada for Human Rights, with the assistance of the international organization IOM, has evacuated 10 young Ukrainians – boys and girls aged 18-19 – from temporarily occupied territories and Russia.
Despite years of living under occupation, they want to study at Ukrainian universities, live in a free society, and build a career in their own country.
– Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets.
Among the evacuees is a young man who was only 14 years old when the occupation began. His sister had previously left and settled in Odessa, while he stayed with his parents, who were caring for his seriously ill grandmother.
The boy decided to return when he realized that he did not see a future for himself under occupation. He is now in Odessa, together with his sister.
Lubinets calls on Ukrainians who are in temporarily occupied territories to seek help with evacuation.
There is a single phone number for calls within Ukraine – 1678, and for calls from abroad – 044 299 74 08. From temporarily occupied territories, you can write to the number +38 093 406 80 17 on WhatsApp, Viber, or Telegram, as well as to the email address hotline@ombudsman.gov.ua.
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