EU expands sanctions against Russia over deportation of Ukrainian children

The Council of the European Union stated this in a press release, according to Ukrinform.

On the day of the high-level meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, the Council of the EU decided to introduce restrictive measures against an additional 16 individuals and seven organizations responsible for actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine.

"The decision targets those responsible for the systematic unlawful deportation, forced transfer, forced assimilation, including indoctrination and militarised education, of Ukrainian minors, as well as their unlawful adoption and removal to the Russian Federation and within temporarily occupied territories," the Council of the EU added.

Today's sanctions list also includes officials and politicians from territories illegally occupied by Russia, as well as various heads of youth camps and military-patriotic clubs and organizations. "They are all responsible for promoting patriotic and military education among young people through ideological indoctrination, exposure to Russian military culture, paramilitary training, and participation in events glorifying Russia's war of aggression," the Council of the EU stated.

Since the beginning of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, Russia has deported and forcibly displaced nearly 20,500 Ukrainian children.

"These actions constitute grave breaches of international law and a violation of the fundamental rights of the child and aim to erase Ukrainian identity and undermine the preservation of its future generations," the Council of the EU reminded.

As Ukrinform reported, the government of the United Kingdom imposed new sanctions on 85 individuals and entities involved in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, as well as employees of the Russian IT company Social Design Agency, where Kremlin propaganda is produced.