PRESS RELEASE : At Okhmatdyt Hospital, Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited two orphans from Mariupol who were returned to Ukraine
The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 26 April 2022.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Okhmatdyt National Children’s Specialized Hospital. He visited two orphans from Mariupol who were taken out of the city by the Russian occupiers, but the Ukrainian authorities managed to return them, now they are taken care of by their relatives.
As a result of active hostilities in Mariupol, Ilya Matvienko and Kira Obedinska lost their parents. The children suffered injuries of varying severity. The occupiers took them to the territory not controlled by Ukraine.
The return of children was made possible by the systematic and coordinated work of all relevant authorities. The President kept this issue under constant control.
“We are most worried about the children. Children are our future. We will fight for every Ukrainian child to return home,” the President said.
At the hospital, Volodymyr Zelenskyy talked to Ilya Matvienko, who turned 10 today, and his grandmother. The boy’s mother died during the bombing of Mariupol by the Russian army.
The President inquired about his health and plans. Doctors told the President about the child’s injuries and assured that the boy would get back on his feet. Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Ilya Matvienko on his birthday.
The President also visited 12-year-old Kira Obedinska. Her father, Yevhen Obedinsky, a multiple Ukrainian water polo champion and former captain of the national team, died in Mariupol. Her mother died a long time ago. Her grandfather, honored coach of Ukraine in water polo Oleksandr Obedinsky after the beginning of the Russian invasion, temporarily lives in Chernivtsi, and is currently in hospital with his granddaughter.
The Head of State also met with Okhmatdyt doctors and presented state awards to them.
“Thank you for your important daily work, for saving the lives of Ukrainians. You are also on your frontline, like our military,” he said.
