Civilian Bohdan Kovalchuk has been brought back to Ukraine as a result of another prisoner exchange with Russia. He had been held in captivity since 2016, when Russian forces detained him at the age of 17.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] A_norny_mousse@feddit.org 11 points 2 days ago

Some of the teenagers were later pardoned, reportedly on the condition that they refuse prisoner exchange and remain in the DPR. Bohdan declined the pardon and served his sentence in Toretsk Penal Colony No. 28.

Tetiana Hots said her grandson never complained, telling her: "I can endure everything; don’t worry".

Apparently he hasn't forgotten his home and (national) identity. That's good to hear. But most kids are abducted at a much younger age, when a sense of self and/or belonging isn't fully formed yet. The damage is horrendous to both themselves and their families. It's part of the definition of genocide.