EU sanctions 16 individuals and seven entities for unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia

On 11 May, the Council of the European Union adopted restrictive measures against a further 16 individuals and seven entities responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. More specifically, the decision targets those responsible for the systematic unlawful deportation, forced transfer, forced assimilation, including indoctrination and militarised education, of Ukrainian minors, and their unlawful adoption and removal to the Russian Federation and within temporarily occupied territories.

Since the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia is estimated to have deported and forcibly transferred 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 said in a press release.

The listed entities include federal state institutions linked to the Russian Ministry of Education such as the All-Russian Children’s Centres Orlyonok, Scarlet Sails, and Smena. They organise – in coordination with occupation authorities – programmes for Ukrainian children in which they are subjected to pro-Russian indoctrination, including through patriotic events, ideological education, and military-oriented activities. 

Other listed entities host Ukrainian minors transferred from occupied territories of Ukraine and expose them to programmes aligned with Russian state policies, including political indoctrination and activities consistent with education frameworks designed for basic military training. The DOSAAF Centre in Sevastopol, the Nakhimov Naval School and the Military-Patriotic Club ‘Patriot’ in Crimea run the re-education, ideological indoctrination, and militarisation of minors, fostering loyalty to Russia and undermining Ukrainian national identity.

The listings also include officials and politicians from territories illegally occupied by Russia and various heads of youth camps and military-patriotic clubs and organisations. 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.

Those listed today are subject to an asset freeze, and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds, financial assets or economic resources available to them. Natural persons are additionally subject to a travel ban that prohibits them from entering or transiting through EU territories.

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Press release