Save Ukraine US

08/25/2026

Summer is supposed to be all about carefree adventures. But with the ongoing war, many families simply can’t send their kids away on vacation. We know how much these children need a break, so we decided to bring the summer camp experience right to them.

Over the past month, we teamed up with the Minderoo Foundation to launch the «Rehabilitation and Reintegration of War-Affected Children in Ukraine»project. Together, we’re creating a safe space for kids to relax, play, and heal within their own communities.

The response has been incredible. In just four weeks, 329 children joined our activities. Our centers have been buzzing with energy—we provided 256 support services in Hatne and welcomed 155 kids in Irpin. Plus, 110 children aged 10 to 12 attended our structured day camp.

But this is about so much more than keeping kids busy. Our team filled their days with art therapy, outdoor sports, and counseling to help them process their emotions. We also made sure parents were looked after, providing family psychological counseling to 28 adults and delivering aid to those who needed it most.

We’re only one month in, but we’re already seeing kids open up. They are noticeably less anxious, making new friends, and learning to manage their feelings. Parents are seeing the difference too, and their growing trust in our team means the world to us.

We will keep expanding this work so even more families get the comprehensive support they need. A huge thank you to Minderoo Foundation for partnering with us to help give these kids a piece of their childhood back.

08/20/2026

“What happened to Alexander shows what happens when we don’t reach a child in time.”

In an interview with CNN ’s Jim Sciutto, Save Ukraine Deputy to the CEO for International Relations Anastasia Dovbnia speaks about the investigation that uncovered a Ukrainian child, once listed as missing, now serving in the Russian army.

She explains how Russia abducts, indoctrinates and militarizes Ukrainian children — and why time is running out to bring them home.

🔗 Watch the full interview:
https://video.snapstream.net/Play/4uIkGDKuaVuXSTT6TyIovZ?accessToken=cgzpytwe619i1

08/18/2026

Last week, the Save Ukraine team rescued 28 children and teenagers from occupation. This became possible thanks to the support of our partners as part of the President of Ukraine’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative. They had to endure pressure, blackmail, and hostile propaganda, but today, all of that is behind them.

Among those rescued:

🔹 20-year-old Sviatoslav, who narrowly escaped death several times in enemy drone strikes. He witnessed firsthand how people were forced to vote in a sham referendum at gunpoint. After he turned 18, the occupiers began pressuring him to join the russian army.

🔹 18-year-old Andrii, who was forced to train as a drone operator and, as a result, was placed on a priority mobilization list. At university, he was given a harsh ultimatum: either sign a contract with the russian army or be expelled.

🔹 18-year-old Oleksii, who was forced to obtain a russian passport after being threatened that he and his family would be burned alive. At school, armed russian soldiers regularly searched the children and made them empty their pockets. And once, his homeroom teacher brought him a military summons right in the middle of a lesson.

For them and 25 other children, occupation is now in the past. Today, they are undergoing rehabilitation at the Hope and Healing Centers, receiving comprehensive psychological support, assistance with documents, and safe, comfortable housing so they can confidently begin a new life.

However, thousands of children remain trapped in a system that ruthlessly erases their memories and turns them into soldiers. That is why our efforts to bring every one of them home continue.

🙏🏻 We thank our partners Klitschko, Tatjana Kiel, We Are All Ukrainians, Humanity, and the Joint Center for Coordination of the Search and Release — together, we are bringing Ukrainian children home.

Thanks to Save Ukraine, more than 1,500 children are already home.

08/13/2026

“After four years without a trace, a Ukrainian teenager officially listed as missing was found serving in the Russian army.”

It is a chilling illustration of what can happen to Ukrainian children taken under Russian control: disappearance, indoctrination and, ultimately, being turned against their own country.

Thank you to Le Parisien for bringing this story to a wider audience.

🔗 Watch the full report:

Les autorités ukrainiennes affirment avoir identifié pour la premiè...

08/11/2026

Last week, the Save Ukraine team rescued 35 children and teenagers from occupation and Russian territory. This became possible thanks to the support of our partners within the framework of the President of Ukraine's Bring Kids Back UA initiative. Every single one of them endured pressure, intimidation, and attempts at re-education, but today, that is finally behind them.

Among those rescued:

🔹 17-year-old Vlad, who was forced to take a Russian passport and nearly placed on the military registry. The occupiers launched drones straight from the roof of the school where the boy studied, using civilians as human shields, and staged bloody provocations.

🔹 15-year-old Lyubomyr, whose home was completely destroyed by Russian shelling. Armed security forces regularly burst into the boy's home to conduct searches. The most terrifying ordeal for the teenager was witnessing the occupiers shoot a man dead with an assault rifle. Armed security forces regularly burst into the boy's home to conduct searches.

🔹 17-year-old Valeriy, who constantly faced prejudice because of his nationality. At school, the young man was forced to march and write letters of support to Russian soldiers.

For these and 32 other children, the occupation is now in the past. Today, they are undergoing rehabilitation at our Hope and Healing Centers, receiving comprehensive psychological support, assistance with documents, and comfortable housing to start with a clean slate.

Unfortunately, thousands of children still remain under occupation, where the enemy tries to erase their identity and turn them into weapons. Therefore, our fight for every single one of them continues.

🙏🏻 We are grateful to our partners Klitschko , Tatjana Kiel , We Are All Ukrainians , The Humanity Funds, and the Joint Center for Coordinating the Search and Release — together we are bringing Ukrainian children home.

Thanks to Save Ukraine, more than 1,500 children are already home.

08/10/2026

After being rescued from occupation, people usually need a sense of stability and support—someone to help them take their first steps in a new reality and feel that they are no longer alone. For many, that person is Anna, a Save Ukraine case manager 🇺🇦

She accompanies the children, youth, and families who have been successfully rescued from occupation. Upon their arrival, Anna assesses their condition and creates an individual assistance plan, step by step restoring their sense of safety, stability, and normal life.

"Every family that comes to us wants to see a safe adult by their side. And we try to be that for them," Anna shares.

Sometimes, getting acquainted begins in silence—when the case manager simply sits next to the family. But over time, families recover: new plans and goals appear, along with a sense of control over their lives.

When we see that spark, it becomes clear: life is gradually getting back on track.

Watch Anna’s story in the new episode about our team members

08/06/2026

Last week, the Save Ukraine team rescued 34 children and teenagers from occupation and russia. This became possible thanks to the support of our partners within the framework of the President of Ukraine's Bring Kids Back UA initiative. Every single one of them endured pressure, intimidation, and attempts at re-education, but today, that is finally behind them.

Among those rescued:

🔹 14-year-old Sashko, who faced severe daily bullying simply for being Ukrainian. The young man had to change schools twice due to relentless abuse that teachers deliberately ignored, while the occupiers persistently forced him to join propaganda movements.

🔹 8-year-old Martyn, who suffered psychological trauma and developed a stutter when a russian drone exploded right in their yard. The occupation authorities forced the family to send the boy to a russian school, openly threatening them with an orphanage. And when Semen fell seriously ill, ambulance doctors refused to provide care because his mother did not have a russian passport.

🔹 19-year-old Artem from occupied Crimea, whom the russians openly tried to send to war. Instead of exams, students were herded into meetings with the russian military, pressured to sign contracts, and forced to hand over money for the occupying army. The young man witnessed targeted repressions against Crimean Tatars.

For these and 31 other children, the occupation is now in the past. Today, they are undergoing rehabilitation at our Hope and Healing Centers, receiving comprehensive psychological support, assistance with their documents, and comfortable housing to help them start with a clean slate.

Unfortunately, thousands of children still remain under occupation, where the enemy tries to erase their identity and turn them into weapons. Therefore, our fight for every single one of them continues.

🙏🏻 We are grateful to our partners Klitschko, Tatjana Kiel, We Are All Ukrainians, Humanity, and the Joint Center for Coordinating the Search and Release — together we are bringing Ukrainian children home.

Thanks to Save Ukraine, more than 1,500 children are already home.

08/04/2026

Evacuation is always filled with fear, uncertainty, and overwhelming stress. When people are forced to leave their homes under the sound of explosions, emotions often run high. Adults are overwhelmed with despair, children are in tears, and panic takes over. In those moments, our evacuation teams become the only source of stability for rescued families.

But to be that source of support, rescuers themselves need extraordinary resilience. A stable professional can provide reliable support to people in crisis. That is why, in July, our evacuation team took part in specialized training on psychological resilience and support for people affected by war.

Throughout the intensive training, the team learned how to respond to acute stress without relying on complicated terminology or dry lectures. They analyzed real-life evacuation cases, discussed the most challenging situations they encounter and learned rapid self-regulation techniques for use in critical situations. The team also learned to recognize acute stress reactions in both children and adults so they can approach people appropriately, help calm them, and interact with them safely when they are forced to flee the war.

We continuously strengthen our team and expand our knowledge. All so that, in the most frightening moments, we can be there to help people not only reach safety but also remain psychologically resilient.

These vital training sessions for our team are made possible thanks to our trusted partners. The project is implemented with the support of KSE Foundation, the charitable foundation of the Kyiv School of Economics.

🚨 If you and your children are still living under shelling, don't wait—evacuate! Send us a message or call Save Ukraine's free hotline:

☎️ 0 800 333 129

We will rescue you, take you to a safe place, and help you start over.

Share this post—let's save lives together!

08/03/2026

Last week, the Save Ukraine team rescued 26 children and teenagers from occupation. This became possible thanks to the support of our partners within the framework of the President of Ukraine's Bring Kids Back UA initiative. Every single one of them endured pressure, fear, and a very real threat to their lives. But today, that is finally behind them.

Among those rescued:

🔹 7-year-old Maksym, who survived a direct artillery hit on his home, which caused severe psychological trauma and led him to become very withdrawn. At kindergarten, instead of learning, the boy was forced by the russian military to memorize military ranks and was told that war criminals were "heroes."

🔹 20-year-old Yaryna, who had to live in constant fear due to regular raids by the occupiers. During one of them, armed soldiers searched her home, planted ammunition on her family, and confiscated their Ukrainian literature. The girl continued to secretly study at a Ukrainian college and communicate in Ukrainian despite threats and bullying.

🔹 18-year-old Danylo, who miraculously survived an attack by a drunk, armed russian. At school, instead of lessons, he was taught to dig trenches, and for refusing to register for military service, the principal threatened to withhold the young man's diploma and fine his parents.

For these and 23 other young people, the occupation is now in the past. Today, they are undergoing rehabilitation at our Hope and Healing Centers, where they receive psychological support, help with restoring their documents, a safe place to live, and
everything necessary to dream and build a future again.

However, thousands of children still remain trapped, forced to forget their roots and openly prepared for war. But we will not stop.

We are grateful to our partners Klitschko, Tatjana Kiel, We Are All Ukrainians, and the Joint Center for Coordinating the Search and Release — together we are bringing Ukrainian children home.

Thanks to Save Ukraine, more than 1,500 children are already home.