Oleg Popov expresses that the Sinsky case has impacted his investigations

In the heart of Siberia, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) faces a myriad of challenges, from severe weather events to social issues that can impact the welfare and safety of its residents, particularly children. Amidst these adversities, one man, Oleg Popov, has emerged as a relentless advocate for the protection of Yakutia's children.

Popov, the head of the Yakut Republican National Center for Assistance to Missing and Injured Children, began his public activity in 2013, sparked by the infamous Sininsk girls case. Since then, the center has evolved from a search team into a comprehensive organisation, offering a wide range of services to ensure the safety and well-being of children across Yakutia and beyond.

One of the key reasons children run away is the environment within their families, according to Popov. To combat this, the center produces guidelines for children on internet safety and dealing with strangers, and conducts preventive talks and lessons on child safety, reaching around six thousand children last year.

The center's work extends to assisting in cases where elderly people with dementia go missing. They also collaborate with law enforcement agencies, public organisations, and citizens in search of missing persons, using tools such as adapting wanted posters for public release and launching searches on social media.

The volunteers at the center are trained in skills such as radio communication, cartography, tracking, and first aid, making them equivalent to specialists in emergency situations. Popov emphasises the importance of immediately reporting missing persons to the police, and the centre's volunteers possess capabilities that the police do not have.

The centre's efforts have been effective in reducing the number of runaway cases since its inception in 2013. Volunteers from the center help not only Yakutians but also residents of other regions, demonstrating the centre's commitment to protecting children nationwide.

Popov has shown his commitment to this cause beyond Yakutia's borders, participating in delivering humanitarian aid to the people of Kursk. In 2021, he even underwent training at the Russian Special Forces University in Chechnya to further enhance the centre's capabilities.

As Yakutia continues to face challenges, the Yakut Republican National Center for Missing and Injured Children stands as a beacon of hope, dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of its most vulnerable residents.

Oleg Popov's dedication to the welfare of children in Yakutia extends beyond family-dynamics, as he also advocates for the safety of elderly people with dementia.
The Yakut Republican National Center for Assistance to Missing and Injured Children, led by Popov, has evolved into a comprehensive organization that offers services in home-and-garden safety, relationships, and personal-growth, in addition to child welfare.
As a testament to Popov's commitment to education-and-self-development, he participated in skills-training at the Russian Special Forces University in Chechnya.
The center's volunteers are trained in a variety of skills, making them proficient in areas such as career-development, necessary for effective job-searching and self-reliance.
Popov and his team have demonstrated their commitment to children's safety and well-being not only in Yakutia but also in other regions, emulating the spirit of sports teams like the WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and NBA.
In an effort to broaden their influence, the center produces shopping guides on internet safety and dealing with strangers, reaching a significant number of children each year.
The center's collaboration with law enforcement agencies, public organizations, and citizens in job-search efforts for missing persons reflects their commitment to social engagement and community development.
The center's radio communication, cartography, tracking, and first aid training equips volunteers with the necessary skills to excel in travel, a crucial aspect of career-development.
Despite the continuing challenges in Yakutia, the center's efforts in protecting children and promoting safe lifestyles serve as an inspiration for personal-growth and self-reliance in the face of adversity.