The United Kingdom has announced fresh sanctions targeting Russian officials and youth organisations accused of orchestrating the forced deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children.
According to London, Moscow has pursued a deliberate policy of transferring minors from occupied Ukrainian territories into Russia, where they are subjected to cultural erasure, militaristic training, and pro-Russian indoctrination.
Western governments and human rights activists have long accused Russia of forcibly relocating thousands of children since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In 2023, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over his alleged involvement in the abductions.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) stated that eight individuals and three state-linked organisations are the latest to be blacklisted. Defence intelligence reports suggest Moscow is enforcing a “Russification policy” aimed at eradicating Ukrainian cultural identity and statehood in territories under its control.
British officials estimate that more than 19,500 Ukrainian children have been deported to Russia, with around 6,000 sent to a network of so-called “re-education camps.” The FCDO said these children are “subjected to indoctrination efforts designed to weaken their Ukrainian identity and instill loyalty to Russia.”
Among those sanctioned are Anastasia Pavlovna Akkuratova, an official at Russia’s education ministry, and Valery Maiorov, head of the state-funded “Teenage Programs Center,” which London accuses of working to turn children in occupied regions against Ukraine.
Also included are the Akhmat Kadyrov Foundation and its president, Aymani Kadyrova, mother of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. The UK accuses the foundation of overseeing militaristic training programs for deported Ukrainian children.
“The Kremlin’s policy of forced deportations, indoctrination, and militarisation of Ukrainian children is despicable,” said UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, stressing that London will continue to hold those responsible to account.
This latest round of sanctions follows measures imposed in November 2024 against 10 other officials and organisations linked to Russia’s deportation policy.
Human rights groups say many of the children were taken from orphanages, institutions for disabled youth, or vulnerable families deceived by occupying Russian forces.
