America News Agency

The EU Council adopted a new sanctions decision targeting 16 individuals and 7 organizations identified as being involved in the forced transfer of children from Ukraine to Russia and their relocation in occupied territories.

According to the EU statement, the sanctions target individuals and institutions organizing the systematic illegal deportation, forced transfer, assimilation, ideological education, and militarization of Ukrainian children.

According to EU data, following Russia’s war against Ukraine, approximately 20,500 Ukrainian children are estimated to have been forcibly taken to Russia or transferred to occupied territories.

Organizations included on the sanctions list include certain children’s centers and military-ideological training institutions linked to the Russian Ministry of Education. These include structures such as the All-Russian Children’s Centres Orlyonok, Scarlet Sails, and Smena.

It was also stated that certain military-patriotic clubs and educational institutions operating in Crimea and occupied territories provide ideological and military training to children.

The European Union announced that the assets of the sanctioned individuals and organizations would be frozen, that EU citizens and companies are prohibited from transferring funds to these persons and institutions, and that travel bans have been imposed on individuals.