A Ukrainian Orphan Returns Home After Being Taken to Russia During the War

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A Ukrainian teenager orphaned before the war, who was forcibly taken to Russia, has finally returned to his homeland, reuniting with his relatives in Belarus on the occasion of his 18th birthday. The emotional reunion of Bohdan Yermokhin with his family was captured in Minsk, images of which were disseminated on social media by Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian children’s rights commissioner.

The return of Yermokhin to Ukraine was confirmed by Andrii Yermak, the chief of the Ukrainian president’s office, who also shared a photograph of Yermokhin with the Ukrainian flag, acknowledging the efforts of UNICEF and Qatari intermediaries in facilitating the return.

Yermokhin lost his parents two years before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. At the onset of the conflict, he was taken from Mariupol, where he resided with a cousin, his legal guardian. He was subsequently placed in a foster home near Moscow and granted Russian citizenship, as reported by Ukrainian attorney Kateryna Bobrovska.

Bobrovska, representing both Yermokhin and his cousin Valeria Yermokhina, age 26, earlier informed The Big Big News of Yermokhin’s persistent wish to return to Ukraine. She noted his daily talks about reuniting with his Ukrainian relatives.

Yermokhin’s case is not isolated; he is among thousands of Ukrainian children forcibly relocated to Russia from occupied Ukrainian territories. This practice led the International Criminal Court in March to formally accuse Russian President Vladimir Putin and Lvova-Belova of war crimes. The Hague-based court issued arrest warrants for both individuals, citing credible evidence of their involvement in the illegal deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children.

Despite widespread international condemnation of these actions, Lvova-Belova announced on November 10 that Yermokhin would be permitted to return to Ukraine via a third country.

Earlier in the year, Yermokhin had attempted to escape to Ukraine. In April, Lvova-Belova reported that Russian authorities detained him near the Belarus border. She claimed, controversially, that he was being misled to Ukraine.

Before his departure from Russia, Bobrovska emphasized the urgency of Yermokhin’s return to avoid conscription into the Russian military upon turning 18. He had already received two notices for military service in Russia, which authorities later claimed were only for record-keeping.

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s human rights commissioner, revealed on his Telegram channel that 386 children have been repatriated to Ukraine from Russia. He affirmed Ukraine’s commitment to continuing these efforts until all are returned.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ukrainian Orphan Return

More about Ukrainian Orphan Return

• UNICEF’s Role in Child Repatriation
• ICC’s Accusation Against Putin and Lvova-Belova
• Ukrainian Government’s Efforts in Child Repatriation
• The Big Big News Coverage on Yermokhin’s Case
• Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner’s Updates
• International Response to the Ukraine-Russia Conflict