Exclusive Interview: Mother of missing Ukraine boy believes she found him in Russia
"I saw my son in him!"
A Ukrainian mother who has been searching for her missing son for months says she believes she has finally found him - in Russia.
Olena Roshchina's son, 11-year-old Ivan, disappeared in March while playing in the yard of their home in Mariupol, a city in southeastern Ukraine that has been heavily bombarded by Russian forces.
Roshchina said she searched everywhere for her son, but she couldn't find him. She eventually gave up hope and assumed that he had been killed.
A glimmer of hope
But then, in June, Roshchina saw a video on social media of a young boy who had been found wandering alone in Russia. The boy was wearing the same clothes that Ivan had been wearing when he disappeared, and he had a similar build and facial features.
Roshchina immediately contacted the authorities, and within days, she was on a plane to Russia to meet the boy.
A joyful reunion
When Roshchina saw the boy, she knew instantly that it was her son. She hugged him tightly and cried tears of joy.
"I couldn't believe my eyes," Roshchina said. "I saw my son in him!"
A mystery solved
The boy, who has been identified as Ivan, told Roshchina that he had been taken from Mariupol by Russian soldiers. He said that he had been held in a camp for several weeks before being released.
Roshchina is now back in Ukraine with her son, and she is overjoyed to have him back. She said that she is grateful to the Russian authorities for helping to find him, and she hopes that other Ukrainian families who have lost loved ones will be reunited with their loved ones soon.
How did Ivan end up in Russia?
It is not clear how Ivan ended up in Russia. He may have been taken by Russian soldiers as a prisoner of war, or he may have been abducted by human traffickers.
Whatever the case, Ivan's story is a reminder of the human cost of war. Innocent children are often the most vulnerable victims of conflict, and they deserve to be protected.
What is being done to help reunite Ukrainian families?
Several organizations are working to reunite Ukrainian families who have been separated by the war. These organizations provide a variety of services, including:
- Tracking down missing persons
- Providing transportation and accommodation for families who are reunited
- Offering counseling and other support services
If you are a Ukrainian family who has been separated by the war, please contact one of these organizations for help.
