The Story

Deep in a forest by the Baltic Sea, a group of Ukrainian families come together to start the healing process with the help of golden retrievers and palamino horses at an animal therapy retreat. In the safety of the forest, the children’s memories of being illegally deported to Russia and their families’ struggles to rescue them are unraveled with the help of skilled and sensitive counsellors. The joy and humour the children discover during their time in the forest make it easy to forget that their stories are the reason the International Criminal Court recently issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin. Nearly 20,000 abducted children remain in Russian institutions. 

VERONIKA RETURNS HOME:

A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BY THE UKRAINIAN CHILD RIGHTS NETWORK

Take Action

Help the Ukrainian Child Rights Network continue reuniting children illegally deported to Russia from Ukraine with their families. Your donation contributes to returning and recovering a child, costing around $1,500 per child. This includes travel, logistics, translations, a dedicated case worker from the Ukrainian Child Rights Network and essential social, psychological, and educational support for their recovery.

By donating, you also support our impact campaign, raising awareness about these issues through our film. Each awareness screening costs around $1,000 including venue hire, participant travel and local outreach.

Together, we can raise awareness about this issue and reunite families.

Donate now and make a real difference.

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Veronika Vlasova

Background

Veronika Vlasova, a 14-year-old from Kharkiv, was home alone when the 
war began, surrounded by explosions and fires. After her village was 
captured by Russian forces, she was taken to a camp in Russia and then to 
an orphanage by the Federal Security Service, where she spent time in 
isolation. Veronika’s health deteriorated significantly due to drastic weight 
loss, hormonal disease, and immense stress. Determined to bring her daughter back, Veronika’s mother, Nina Vlasova, reached out to the Ukrainian Child Rights Network, marking the start of a challenging yet hopeful journey to reunite their family.

Darya Kasyanova. Source: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine

The Ukrainian Child Rights Network

Upon receiving Veronika’s mother’s request, Darya Kasyanova, the chairman of the board of the Ukrainian Child Rights Network, quickly mobilised. The Ukrainian Child Rights Network was established to consolidate efforts and improve coordination among civil society organizations in Ukraine, strengthening child rights protection and influencing public policy.
The network coordinated with the Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine and the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights to assist in reuniting Veronika wth her family.

Nadezhda at a court hearing. Source: Novaya Gazeta

Nadezhda Rossinskaya and Army of Beauties

Along the way, Veronika received assistance in connecting with her mother
from Nadezhda Rossinskaya, a Russian volunteer who had been actively 
helping Ukrainian refugees. Nadezhda organised efforts to support Ukrainian refugees and evacuate animals from conflict zones. She founded the volunteer group “Army of Beauties,” which provided essential support to the Ukrainians affected by the war. Rossinskaya’s activism led to her arrest in Belgorod on charges of undermining state security, a situation that underscored the risks faced by those aiding Ukrainians. Her efforts were crucial in the initial steps to reconnect Veronika with her mother.

Nina testifies for the UN. Source: US mission to the UN

Veronika’s Mother Testifies at the UN

In the meantime, Darya arranged for Veronika’s Mother Nina Vlasova to testify to the UN Security Council to raise awareness of Veronika’s illegal deportation. Her heartfelt appeal, where she pleaded for international intervention, marked a turning point. This testimony came shortly after the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for President Vladimir Putin and Russia’s children’s rights ombudsman, Maria Lvova-Belova, for the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. Nina’s speech was widely covered by Russian state-controlled media, with Lvova-Belova responding by pledging to address cases of separated Ukrainian children.

Vera, Veronika’s grandmother

Vera’s Courageous Journey

The Ukrainian Child Rights Network secured all necessary permissions and 
planned the logistics for Veronika’s return. Since Nina had served in the 
Ukrainian army and would be regarded as a war criminal in Russia, it was 
decided that Veronika’s grandmother, Vera, would travel to Moscow to bring 
the girl back. The Network covered all travel expenses and assisted with the 
paperwork. Vera embarked on the difficult journey, supported continuously 
by the Network’s team, who were in constant contact with her. During her entry into Russia, Vera was detained, interrogated about her daughter’s military past, and faced scrutiny of her belongings.

Veronika in the Hague. Source: Euronews

Safe Return and Support

Despite the challenges, Vera successfully brought Veronika back to Ukraine. The Ukrainian Child Rights Network continues to provide Veronika with social, psychological, and educational support for her reintegration and recovery, ensuring she has the resources needed to rebuild her life. As a gift to help with her emotional healing, Veronika’s mother bought her a puppy.
Since returning, Veronika testified against Vladimir Putin at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. This pivotal experience has ignited her desire to pursue a degree in International Law to combat injustice and advocate for those who have suffered similar fates.

Veronika and Vera reunite. Source: The UCRN

Impact

Veronika’s return highlights the commitment and effectiveness of the 
Ukrainian Child Rights Network and its partners in reuniting families and 
protecting children’s rights. Their work ensures that children like Veronika can safely return home and rebuild their lives. The network’s efforts have assisted in reuniting numerous children with their families, shedding light on the plight of nearly 20,000 illegally deported children still in Russian institutions. Your donation can help support their efforts in reuniting families and advocating for the rights of children affected by the war.

THE FILMMAKERS

SARAH MCCARTHY

Director & Producer

Sarah McCarthy has shared stories from Russia, the Philippines, India, Saudi Arabia, America, and the UK with audiences in over 35 countries. Her films have premiered at prestigious festivals like Telluride, Toronto, and DOC NYC, and have been broadcast by HBO, Netflix, Paramount, ESPN, Channel 4, and the BBC. Her latest film, ‘Anastasia,’ was shortlisted for the 2023 Academy Awards. Sarah has been recognised by The New York Times, Washington Post, and Variety, and was named among Radio Times’ ’30 Most Powerful Women in Film.’

OLHA BESKHMELNYTSINA

Producer

Olha Beskhmelnytsina is a Ukrainian producer with over 10 years of experience. She co-founded and manages the women-led 2Brave Productions. She holds Master’s degrees in Economics and Documentary Directing. Her credits include ‘The Living Fire’ (Hot Docs winner 2015) and ‘Collapse. How the Ukrainians Ruined the Empire of Evil’ (2021). An alumna of Ex Oriente Film and EURODOC 2017, Olha chairs the Ukrainian Film Academy.

Sheila Nevins I Executive Producer

Sheila Nevins

Executive Producer

Sheila Nevins is a documentary consultant and Executive Producer. During her time at MTV Documentary Films / Paramount+ Sheila led the development and production of over 30 films in just under three years. Four of those films were nominated for Academy Awards; ‘The Eternal Memory’, ‘Ascension’, ‘The ABC’s of Book Banning’ and ‘Hunger Ward’ and five films were shortlisted for the Academy Awards; ‘Anastasia’ ‘As Far as They Can Run’ ‘Angola: Do You Hear Us’ and ‘Coded: The Hidden Love of JC Lyendecker’. During her time as President of HBO Documentary Films Sheila was responsible for overseeing the development and production of more than 1500 programs for HBO, HBO2 and Cinemax. As an executive producer or producer, she has received 32 Primetime Emmy Awards, 35 News and Documentary Emmys and 42 George Foster Peabody Awards. During her tenure, HBO’s critically acclaimed documentaries won 26 Academy Awards.

GEORGE CHIGNELL

Producer

George Chignell has produced documentaries for 25 years. Her notable works include BAFTA and Academy Award-winning ‘Searching For Sugar Man,’ ‘I Am Ali,’ ‘Project Nim,’ BAFTA-nominated ‘Listen To Me Marlon,’ and ‘Eric Clapton: Life In 12 Bars.’ She also produced ‘Citizen K,’ which premiered at the 2019 Venice Film Festival. George has collaborated with acclaimed directors like James Marsh and Alex Gibney.

MARIA LOGAN

Executive Producer

Maria Logan, formerly a litigation lawyer at Greenberg Traurig in Washington, D.C., started her own practice in London in 2008. She coordinated international human rights efforts for Mikhail Khodorkovsky and represented his case worldwide. Since 2014, Maria has led the international programme activities of Open Russia. She is a Trustee of the New Generation Europe Foundation and the Khodorkovsky Foundation, and has executive produced numerous films and documentaries since 2020.

NATALIA LIBET

Producer

Natalia Libet specialises in co-production, investment, and finance, primarily with U.S. and German companies. She produces films with ESSE Production House in Kyiv, Ukraine. In 2019, she joined Bratislava’s Febiofest jury and introduced First Cut Lab to Kyiv. Natalia has an MBA (GPA: 4.00/4.00) from the U.S., won the 2000 Edmund Muskie/Freedom Support Act Graduate Fellowship Award, and is a member of the Ukrainian Film Academy.

SASHA ODYNOVA

Producer

Sasha Odynova is an independent filmmaker and journalist. Throughout her career, she has worked with major outlets like The New York Times, CBS News, Al Jazeera English, and BBC News, covering numerous political and human stories from the former Soviet Union. She is known for her work on acclaimed films such as ‘Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes,’ ‘Citizen K,’ and ‘Fearless: The Women Fighting Putin,’ which won a BAFTA in Current Affairs and was nominated for Emmy Awards in 2022.

Sasha Mezhevoy was only five-years-old when she was evacuated from Mariupol with her father, Yvgeny, and her two siblings. On April 7, 2022, Yvgeny was separated from his children at a military checkpoint in the Bezimenne village, one of the main sites where so-called ‘filtration’ was taking place in the Donetsk region,” McCarthy wrote. “Sasha was told she would see her Dad again in a few hours. But Sasha and her siblings were then illegally deported to an orphanage in Moscow where they were threatened with forcible adoption into a Russian family. 

Sasha’s father Yvgeny was held in a correctional facility for 45 days before being released, he is still unclear as to why they released him. When he discovered his children had been taken to Moscow ‘a bolt of rage shot through me’ (this is how he describes it in the film). He had no money and no way of retrieving his children so he reached out to a volunteer network. This volunteer network helped Yvgeny get to Moscow to locate his children. 
 
Darya Kasynova at the Ukrainian Child Rights Network also assisted Yvgeny when he located his children in Moscow. On Saturday, June 17, 2022, an employee of the Ministry of Reintegration and Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine contacted Darya and said that they were ready to give the children to Yvgeny. But he urgently needed to find funding for train tickets for the journey from Moscow back to Riga. Darya found a way to fund Yvgeny and the children’s travel and bought the tickets so Yvgeny was able to leave Moscow with his children. 

HOST A SCREENING

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Press

Golden Retrievers And Palomino Ponies To The Rescue: In ‘After The Rain,’ Ukrainian Children Abducted By Russia Find Healing With Help From Animals. By Matthew Carey

September 2, 2024

Russian atrocities in Ukraine have been powerfully documented in a range of nonfiction films – among them, 20 Days in Mariupol, Freedom on Fire, The Cranes Call, and the short documentary Bucha 22. But one stunning dimension of Russia’s brutal war of conquest has received comparatively scant attention: the Kremlin scheme to abduct thousands of Ukrainian children and deport them to Russia. A new feature documentary directed and produced by Sarah McCarthy at last puts the focus on that shocking reality.

Golden Retrievers And Palomino Ponies To The Rescue: In ‘After The Rain,’ Ukrainian Children Abducted By Russia Find Healing With Help From Animals. By Matthew Carey
Golden Retrievers And Palomino Ponies To The Rescue: In ‘After The Rain,’ Ukrainian Children Abducted By Russia Find Healing With Help From Animals. By Matthew CareySeptember 2, 2024
Read More
Russian atrocities in Ukraine have been powerfully documented in a range of nonfiction films – among them, 20 Days in Mariupol, Freedom on Fire, The Cranes Call, and the short documentary Bucha 22. But one stunning dimension of Russia’s brutal war of conquest has received comparatively scant attention: the Kremlin scheme to abduct thousands of Ukrainian children and deport them to Russia. A new feature documentary directed and produced by Sarah McCarthy at last puts the focus on that shocking reality.

FAQ

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian president Vladimir Putin initiated the war with the baseless claim that Ukraine needed to be “demilitarised and de-Nazified,” using this as an excuse to seize territory from a sovereign nation.

This aggressive act has evolved into the largest ground war in Europe since World War II, causing thousands of deaths, devastating millions of lives, and involving atrocities such as the abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children by Russian authorities.

The war has also intensified the suppression of civil society within Russia, with war critics facing prosecution, imprisonment, and forced exile.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, one of the aims of the Russian invasion has been to capture and russify large numbers of Ukrainian citizens. This has led to the illegal deportation of nearly 20,000 children to Russia, and this number continues to rise.

The deportation process involves various methods, including collecting unaccompanied children from the frontline or occupied Ukrainian territories, persuading parents or relatives to send children to Russian recreational centres, and subsequently keeping them for longer periods or transporting them elsewhere without explicit permission from Ukrainian authorities or their legal guardians. Despite Russia’s claims of these actions being evacuations, independent investigations have found no justifications based on safety reasons.

In Russia, the children face abusive russification and assimilation processes aimed at erasing their Ukrainian identity, denying them access to education in Ukrainian, and exposing them to Russian propaganda.

Getting Ukrainian children taken to Russia reunited with their families is extremely challenging. Since Ukrainian men of military age cannot leave the country during the war, it is usually the women making this journey. They cannot travel directly across the Ukrainian-Russian border, so they must take a long detour through other countries. Families trying to retrieve their children risk arrest and interrogation along the way.

Ukrainian charities often provide logistical and financial support to help cover the costs, as returning one child averages around $1,200 in travel, logistics, translations, and a dedicated case worker expenses.

The Ukrainian government has initiated numerous efforts to facilitate the return of abducted children; however, due to Russia’s unwillingness to cooperate, the majority of them remain in Russia.

On March 17, 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova. The ICC has accused Putin and Lvova-Belova of unlawfully deporting children from Ukraine to Russia, which constitutes war crimes. Although Russia denies these allegations and is not a member of the ICC, this move carries symbolic importance as it represents global condemnation of the alleged crimes committed during the war in Ukraine.

The warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) serves as a symbolic step toward holding the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, Maria Lvova-Belova accountable for their alleged war crimes. Additionally, it limits their freedom to travel to ICC member states, as there is a risk of arrest upon entry. For instance, this pressure led Putin to refrain from attending a summit of BRICS countries in South Africa.

However, in light of Russia’s non-recognition of the ICC and its policy of not extraditing citizens, the likelihood of Putin or Lvova-Belova facing trial in the near future remains remote.

We partner with the Ukrainian Child Rights Network, which has been instrumental in reuniting Veronika and many other children with their families. Click here to take action and help abducted Ukrainian children reunite with their families.

The children who have been returned often come back traumatised and receive comprehensive support, including social, psychological, medical, and educational assistance, to help them reintegrate into society. The Ukrainian Child Rights Network plays a crucial role in providing these services.

Additionally, the animal therapy retreat featured in the film offers psychological support through healing with nature and animals. Located in Karepa, Estonia, the retreat, deep in a forest by the Baltic Sea, offers a tranquil environment to facilitate the healing process for children and their families. Dedicated counsellors at the retreat work to ensure the children receive the care they need. The Estonian Association of Assistance and Therapy Dogs runs the retreat and more information about their work can be found here.

After the Rain

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