Brussels is moving to impose fresh sanctions on 27 Russian individuals and entities linked to the systematic deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children, a practice that international bodies have condemned as a war crime and a crime against humanity. The listings, reviewed by EU ambassadors on Wednesday at their first meeting after the summer break, are part of a broader effort to hold Moscow accountable for the widespread abduction of minors from occupied Ukrainian territories.
Maksym Maksymov, head of the Bring Kids Back UA initiative, welcomed the EU's action, stressing that accountability is essential. "Bring Kids Back UA has continuously called for all those responsible for Russia's illegal deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children to face prosecution, and we welcome this positive action from the European Union towards ensuring accountability for these crimes," he told Euronews.
Maksymov underscored the ongoing peril for the children still in Russian hands. "Children who remain under Russian control continue to face the risk of indoctrination, militarisation and the erosion of their Ukrainian identity," he said. "There are still thousands of Ukrainian children who have yet to be returned home. The longer they remain under Russian control, the greater the risks they face."
Sanctions as a deterrent
The new measures are being prepared ahead of a conference of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, scheduled for 28-29 September in Toronto, Canada. Maksymov sees the sanctions as a signal that such crimes will not go unanswered. "This is a humanitarian issue that concerns the entire international community. Every child who is returned demonstrates that coordinated international action can make a difference, while measures such as these send a clear message that these crimes will not go unanswered," he said.
The EU has previously targeted individuals involved in the deportation and forced assimilation of Ukrainian minors. In May, member states blacklisted 16 individuals and seven entities for their roles in the unlawful transfer, indoctrination, militarised education, and illegal adoption of Ukrainian children. The new listings, however, require further technical work, including legal checks to ensure they can withstand court challenges.
The European External Action Service has also circulated a list of 1,600 individuals and entities that directly contribute to Russia's war effort, reflecting a shift away from broad, sector-wide sanctions packages toward more targeted measures. This approach aims to hit those most responsible while maintaining legal robustness.
The scale of the crisis
Ukraine has verified the deportation or forced transfer of more than 20,500 children, though the true figure is believed to be considerably higher. Yale's Humanitarian Research Lab estimates the number could be closer to 35,000, while Russian officials have openly suggested it might be as high as 700,000. The US-based Institute for the Study of War notes that the actual number is nearly impossible to verify independently.
Earlier reporting by Euronews revealed that Russian-installed occupation authorities in Ukrainian regions created an online "catalogue" of Ukrainian children, offering them for coerced "adoption" through the education department. The minors were sorted by age, gender, and physical characteristics such as eye and hair colour, with some labelled as "obedient" or "calm"—a dehumanising practice that strips children of their identity.
Returning even a single child can take years, from the moment Ukrainian authorities identify them to their eventual repatriation. Almost every return so far has been mediated by a third state, notably Qatar, South Africa, and the Vatican. The complexity underscores the need for sustained international pressure, including sanctions and diplomatic engagement.
In March, the United Nations declared that the deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia constitutes a crime against humanity and a war crime. The EU's new sanctions are a step toward enforcing that principle, but as Maksymov emphasised, the ultimate goal is the safe return of every child. "Through the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, governments and international partners can support efforts to secure these children's safe return while strengthening the international mechanisms that protect children during armed conflict," he said.
The sanctions come amid heightened tensions across Europe, with Denmark warning of Russian sabotage and Finland conducting its largest civil defence drill since WWII. The EU's resolve on this issue is clear, but the children's fate remains a stark reminder of the human cost of Russia's aggression.
