EU sanctions 10 individuals and 17 entities over unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia

The decision targets those responsible for the systematic unlawful deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children to the Russian Federation and within temporarily occupied territories, as well as their forced assimilation, including indoctrination and militarised education.

The entities listed today include the Moscow City Tourism Committee and two Russian companies operating in children’s recreation, tourism and entertainment services, engaged in organising activities focused on Russian history, war commemorations and military-patriotic education.

Children’s camps and sports centres in Russia and in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine have also been listed for their role in cultural reorientation, propaganda-based education and military-patriotic activities aimed at integrating children into Russian identity frameworks.

The package also includes Songdowon International Children’s Camp, a state-operated institution in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The camp participates in organised programmes involving the transfer of Ukrainian children from temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine in coordination with the Russian Federation, and with the aim of promoting pro-Russian narratives.

Today’s listings also include the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, for facilitating the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to camps located in his region, the Minister and deputy Ministers of Education and Science of certain occupied territories, the Minister of Sports and Tourism of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and heads of children’s camps and schools for contributing to ideological indoctrination.

Those listed today are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds, financial assets or economic resources available to them. Natural persons are additionally subject to a travel ban that prohibits them from entering or transiting through EU territories.