russia uses threats and violence to make Ukrainian youngsters from occupied territories to give up all Ukrainian and naturalize in russia.

These were the stories of Anastasiia Motychak from Kherson and Ksenia Koldin from Kharkiv that were presented at a panel discussion “Survive Captivity: forced deportation to russia” at the 10th Youth Kyiv Security Forum, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”.

Anastasiia Motychak told the audience that during the Kherson occupation all schoolchildren were offered tours to leisure camps in Crimea. Those refusing the offer were threatened: “My Mom did not want me to go there, but our college director insisted and induced guilt in my Mom”. 
According to 17-year-old Anastasiia, when her mother declined the college director offer, the latter threatened to take the girl away by force.

The Crimean leisure camps demonstrated most awful conditions: “When I arrived and settled in the room, the first thing I saw in the closet were cockroaches. They were omnipresent: I saw them in kitchens as well. And we slept on smelly sheets and pillows”.

Anastasiia also spoke about physical violence, bullying, and pressure to make her accept Russian passport. She sighed with relief only 4 months later when she managed to return to Ukraine via Poland.

Ksenia Koldin from Kharkiv said that she and her younger brother were orphans residing in the city, and when the full-scale invasion started, they were visiting their foster family in Vovchansk.

After the town was occupied by Russia, the girl was forcefully moved to Shebekino in russia.

“There was no way to refuse. My brother was taken to a summer camp, allegedly to enjoy a fortnight at the seaside. Immediately, I understood there was some foul play. A promised fortnight away turned into 9 months of separation,” - she said.

“We wanted to return to Ukraine, even though I had no idea how. The Russians insisted that I accepted russian passport. Since I refused, I was drawn out of the dormitory”, - Ksenia said.

“I liaised with the Kharkiv social service asking to help me and my brother return to Ukraine. By that time, he was already placed with a Russian family. This Russian foster family insisted that he severs any links with me. I was lucky to find out his residence address, we met, and I persuaded him to come back to Ukraine. I am happy that my brother and I are back home, he is now with a great family. I am happy to be back in my home country, and I am certain in our victory”, - Ksenia Koldin added.

Youth Kyiv Security Forum is the leading platform to engage young leaders into discussion of national security issues and international relations agenda.