Headlines

UK sanctions target Russians linked to deportation of Ukrainian children

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on September 3, 2025

2 min read

· Last updated: January 22, 2026

Add as preferred source on Google
Fourth sanctioned LNG tanker, Christophe De Margerie, at Russia's Arctic LNG 2 plant - Global Banking & Finance Review
The image showcases the Christophe De Margerie tanker docking at Russia's Arctic LNG 2, highlighting ongoing LNG export challenges amidst U.S. sanctions.
Global Banking & Finance Awards 2026 — Call for Entries

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain on Wednesday imposed sanctions on 11 new individuals and entities affiliated with the Russian state, targeting those involved in what it said were Moscow's attempts to

UK Imposes Sanctions on Russians Over Ukrainian Child Deportations

UK Sanctions and Their Implications

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain on Wednesday imposed sanctions on 11 new individuals and entities affiliated with the Russian state, targeting those involved in what it said were Moscow's attempts to forcibly deport and indoctrinate Ukraine's children.

Details of the Sanctions

Ukraine says that more than 19,500 children have been taken to Russia or Russian-occupied territory during the war without the consent of family or guardians, calling the abductions a war crime that meets the U.N. treaty definition of genocide. Moscow has said it was protecting vulnerable children from a war zone.

International Response

"The Kremlin's policy of forced deportations, indoctrination and militarisation of Ukrainian children is despicable," foreign minister David Lammy said in a statement, setting out Britain's latest round of sanctions against Russia for the war in Ukraine.

Background on Child Abductions

Organisations such as the Akhmat Kadyrov Foundation which runs re-education programmes for Ukrainian children and teenagers, subjecting them to militaristic training, and its president, Aymani Nesievna Kadyrova, are among those targeted, the statement said. The sanctions include asset freezes, travel bans and other penalties.

In March, a report by the United Nations Human Rights Office said Russia had inflicted unimaginable suffering on millions of Ukrainian children and violated their rights since its full scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.

The Russian embassy in London did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on Britain's latest sanctions.

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued warrants for the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his children's rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova related to the abduction of Ukrainian children. Russia denounced the warrants as "outrageous and unacceptable."

(Reporting by Muvija M and William James; editing by Philippa Fletcher)

Key Takeaways

  • UK sanctions 11 Russians linked to child deportations.
  • Over 19,500 Ukrainian children reportedly taken to Russia.
  • Sanctions include asset freezes and travel bans.
  • International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants.
  • Russia claims to protect children from war zones.

Frequently Asked Questions

What recent actions did the UK take regarding Russian individuals?
Britain imposed sanctions on 11 new individuals and entities affiliated with the Russian state, targeting those involved in the forced deportation of Ukrainian children.
How many Ukrainian children have been reportedly taken to Russia?
Ukraine claims that over 19,500 children have been taken to Russia or Russian-occupied territories during the war without the consent of their families or guardians.
What did the UK foreign minister say about the deportations?
Foreign minister David Lammy described the Kremlin's policy of forced deportations and indoctrination of Ukrainian children as despicable.
What organizations are involved in the re-education of Ukrainian children?
The Akhmat Kadyrov Foundation is mentioned as running re-education programs for Ukrainian children, subjecting them to militaristic training.
What did the International Criminal Court do in March 2023?
In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued warrants for the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin and children's rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova related to the abduction of Ukrainian children.

Tags

Related Articles

More from Headlines

Explore more articles in the Headlines category