On May 11, the European Union and the United Kingdom announced new large-scale sanctions against individuals and organizations involved in the illegal deportation, forced transfer, militarization, and ideological indoctrination of Ukrainian children. This was reported by the Council of the EU and the British government, according to UNN.
EU imposes sanctions against organizers of Ukrainian children's deportation
The Council of the EU adopted a decision to sanction 16 individuals and seven organizations involved in the systematic deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia and the occupied territories.
The European Union emphasized that Russia has illegally deported or forcibly displaced nearly 20,500 Ukrainian children since the start of the full-scale war.
The sanctions list includes entities associated with the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, specifically the children's centers "Orlyonok," "Alye Parusa," and "Smena." According to the EU, they organized programs for Ukrainian children featuring pro-Russian propaganda, military education, and ideological indoctrination.
Also sanctioned were DOSAAF in Sevastopol, the Nakhimov Naval School, and the "Patriot" military-patriotic club in Crimea.
The EU stated that these structures are engaged in the "re-education," militarization of children, and the formation of loyalty to Russia, while simultaneously destroying Ukrainian national identity.
All individuals and organizations on the list are subject to asset freezes, a ban on financial transactions with EU citizens and companies, and a ban on entry into EU countries.
London simultaneously introduced sanctions against 85 individuals and legal entities it considers involved in both the abduction of Ukrainian children and Russian information operations and interference in the democratic processes of other countries.
Among those sanctioned is the "Voin" Center for Military-Sports Training and Patriotic Youth Education, where, according to London, Ukrainian children are subjected to military training and pro-Kremlin ideological indoctrination.
Sanctions were also imposed against the so-called "Minister of Youth Policy of the LPR" Yulia Velichko, whom Britain accuses of the forced passportization of Ukrainian children and organizing programs for their ideological indoctrination.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated:
"The UK will not stand by while Putin attempts to spread lies and pro-Kremlin narratives abroad."
She emphasized that the sanctions aim to expose and stop Russia's attempts to "destroy Ukraine's future through the abhorrent deportation and ideological indoctrination of Ukrainian children."
London also accused Russia of interfering in Armenian politics
Separately, British authorities reported Russian attempts to influence internal political processes in Armenia.
Sanctions were imposed on 49 individuals associated with the Russian "Social Design Agency," which London describes as a tool for Kremlin information operations.
According to Britain, this entity was involved in campaigns to promote pro-Russian organizations in Armenia and attempts to influence a change of government in the country.
The British government also stated that the Russian organization ANO Dialog coordinated information operations alongside Russian intelligence services.
Britain to allocate additional funds for the return of Ukrainian children
The UK government also announced the allocation of an additional £1.2 million for mechanisms to locate and return Ukrainian children who were taken to Russia or the occupied territories.
The funds will support the work of identification and tracing mechanisms for children within the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.
EU prepares new strike against Putin's "shadow fleet" and Russian banks - Politico11.05.26, 15:22