The United States Department of State is imposing visa restrictions on five Russian officials involved in the forced deportation, displacement and imprisonment of Ukrainian children. This is stated on the official website of the State Department, UNN reports.
Details
It is noted that many of these children had their identities changed and their origins concealed. They were also subjected to pro-Russian propaganda and militarization or adopted by Russian families.
The Kremlin authorities have created numerous obstacles to the return of these children to Ukraine. Russia's continued disregard for its international legal obligations to provide information on the whereabouts of these children makes their safe return almost impossible
The State Department emphasized that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has illegally taken thousands of Ukrainian children. Their deportation is "targeted" and "systematic," the department emphasized.
The United States will continue to use all available tools to assist Ukraine in its efforts to locate and return its illegally displaced or deported children. In addition, we will continue to promote justice for victims and accountability for those involved in human rights violations in Russia,
Recall
Yale University found evidence of the use of Putin administration planes to deport Ukrainian children. The study tracked 314 deported children, 148 of whom were listed in Russian adoption databases.