A Ukrainian boy returned to his country on Sunday after being transferred to Russia from the occupied city of Mariupol during the war and being prevented from leaving earlier this year. Bohdan Yermukhin, who turned 18 on Sunday, appealed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this month for help in returning to Ukraine. In March, he attempted to leave Russia for Ukraine via Belarus but was stopped and sent back.
"I thought I would be in Ukraine, just not on this day," Yermukhin told Reuters while eating at a gas station after crossing into Ukraine. He added, "It's a very nice gift. I am overwhelmed with emotions, all of them good, and I believe Ukraine needs me."
Zelensky welcomed Yermukhin's return in his evening video address, stating, "I made many efforts to help him. I am glad everything went well," expressing gratitude to Ukrainian officials, international organizations, especially UNICEF, and authorities in Qatar for their mediation assistance.
