EU sanctions Russian camps accused of indoctrinating Ukrainian children
Photo: The EU imposed sanctions over the ideological indoctrination of Ukrainian children in Russia (Getty Images)
The European Union has imposed new sanctions on Russian officials and organizations involved in the deportation of Ukrainian children and their subsequent ideological indoctrination, the European Council states.
The decision was adopted on the day of the meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. The new restrictions target 16 individuals and seven organizations that, according to the EU, took part in the illegal transfer of children from occupied Ukrainian territories to Russia.
Brussels said the case involves more than just the deportation and forced displacement of children. According to the EU, Ukrainian children were also subjected to forced assimilation, political indoctrination and military-patriotic training aimed at erasing Ukrainian identity.
"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 statement says.
The EU estimates that since the start of the full-scale war, Russia has illegally deported or forcibly transferred nearly 20,500 Ukrainian children.
The sanctions list includes Russian state institutions and children’s centers Orlyonok, Scarlet Sails, and Smena, which are linked to Russia’s Ministry of Education. The EU says these structures, working alongside occupation authorities, organized programs exposing Ukrainian children to pro-Russian ideological influence.
These programs reportedly included patriotic events, political education, exposure to Russian military culture, and elements of basic military training.
The sanctions also target the DOSAAF Center in Sevastopol, the Nakhimov Naval School, and the Patriot military-patriotic club in Crimea.
In addition, restrictions were imposed on officials from occupied Ukrainian territories, as well as leaders of youth camps and military-patriotic clubs.
"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 EU Council said.
All individuals and entities placed under sanctions will have their assets frozen in EU countries. EU citizens and companies are also banned from providing them with financial support. Individuals additionally face entry bans and transit restrictions across the bloc.
At the end of April, Ukraine also imposed sanctions on people and organizations involved in the deportation of Ukrainian children from occupied territories. The restrictions targeted 20 individuals and four legal entities, including Russian officials, collaborators, and representatives of occupation authorities.
