London: The UK imposed sanctions on Russian authorities accused of "forcibly deporting, indoctrinating, and militarising Ukrainian children." The British Foreign Office stated that the new sanctions target individuals supporting President Vladimir Putin's efforts to deport and indoctrinate Ukraine's children, aiming to erase their cultural heritage.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the sanctions package includes 11 leading Russian officials and three state-linked youth organizations. Defense intelligence indicates that Russia is pursuing a Russification policy in the illegally occupied territories of Ukraine, aiming to eradicate Ukrainian cultural identity and statehood.
The statement quoted British Foreign Secretary David Lammy saying, "to take a child from their home and seek to forcibly erase their heritage and upbringing through lies and disinformation can never be tolerated. No child should ever be a pawn of war and that is why we are holding those responsible to account." Over 19,500 Ukrainian children have reportedly been forcibly transferred or deported by Russian authorities to Russia and occupied territories.
Approximately 6,000 Ukrainian children have been relocated to re-education camps, where they face indoctrination efforts to erode their Ukrainian identity and instill pro-Russian sentiments. This strategy dates back to Russia's annexation of Crimea over a decade ago.