Ilya was one of thousands of orphans in Ukraine who had been detained by Russian forces since launching a full-scale offensive on February 24. Hundreds of families – aunts, uncles and grandparents – have applied to the Ukrainian ombudsman’s office for help finding them. “The Russians are taking children without giving them the option to go for a family in Ukraine,” said Aksana Filipishyna, a spokeswoman for the ombudsman for children and families. The times.
