Save Ukraine Rescues 1,169 Children from Russian Captivity

When Russian soldiers invaded 17-year-old Maxim's home, they refused to believe he was Deaf. They beat him repeatedly, trying to force him to speak, and abducted him for weeks at a time while subjecting his mother to brutal violence.

Maxim is one of 1,169 children that Save Ukraine has rescued from Russian captivity and occupied territories since 2022. The humanitarian group risks everything to bring these kids home, working through dangerous territories where volunteers face arrest and confiscation of their phones at any moment.

The stories these children carry are heartbreaking. Many were told that Russia "liberated" them from Ukrainian Nazis, that NATO soldiers would harm them, and that they should train as Russian soldiers. Some children as young as newborns were taken from their parents after Russia forced families to register under Russian law, then used any small infraction to end parental rights.

Anastasiia Dovbnia, Save Ukraine's government relations manager, explained what life looks like under occupation. "The system that Russia installed is designed to take a child from family as soon as possible, to disrupt all connection with family as soon as possible and to change their identity," she told Baptist Press.

The rescue missions require careful coordination with relatives, lawyers, and volunteers. Founder Mykola Kubela, who previously served as Ukraine's presidential commissioner for children's rights, said each case demands meticulous preparation because most children were transferred deep into Russian-controlled areas.

The Ripple Effect

Beyond rescues, Save Ukraine is rebuilding lives. The organization reunites children with families, provides psychological counseling, and operates Hope and Healing Centers across Ukraine. In 2025 alone, they've provided over 8,500 counseling sessions and helped evacuate nearly 3,000 people to safety.

Many rescued teens struggle with guilt, wondering why they're free while others remain captive. They arrive emotionally exhausted, confused about their identity after months of being told they're Russian. But with support from partners including Samaritan's Purse and the Buckner Foundation, these children are finding their way back.

Kubela credits faith for sustaining the work. "It's very important to build our work on God's principles," he said, noting that Save Ukraine partners with evangelical churches throughout Ukraine to provide church-based services and support.

While humanitarian groups have documented at least 20,000 kidnapped Ukrainian children, researchers believe the actual number is thousands higher. Save Ukraine continues its dangerous work, determined to bring every possible child home to safety and healing.