The U.S. Sanctions Several Russian Individuals and Entities for Abducting Ukrainian Children

On Thursday, September 2, the United States imposed new sanctions against several Russian entities and individuals involved in the abduction and forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. These individuals and entities were also sanctioned for violating the human rights of young children and minors in areas occupied by Russia in Ukraine. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, stated at a UN Security Council meeting, "Children are literally being pulled from their homes by force. In 2023. By a country whose [representative] is sitting in this room." "It’s like something straight out of a dystopian novel. But this is not a fictional story. Colleagues, this is not a fictional story. This is real life." She mentioned that human rights violations are organized at all levels of the Russian government and pointed out that the International Criminal Court in The Hague has issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights. These warrants were issued on March 17, 2023, for their involvement in the expulsion and forced transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, during the UN Security Council meeting commemorating the 32nd anniversary of Ukraine's independence from the former Soviet Union, focused on supporting children and stated that the United States would not remain indifferent "while Russia commits these war crimes and crimes against humanity." She announced that today, the United States is imposing sanctions against two entities and 11 individuals, including those reportedly facilitating the forced transfer and expulsion of Ukrainian children to camps. She added, "Additionally, we are taking steps to impose visa restrictions on three officials who claim to be Russian appointees due to their involvement in the violation of the human rights of Ukrainian minors." Among those sanctioned are children's rights commissioners in several regions of Russia, as well as a government-owned "summer camp" in the occupied Crimea region and its director. Washington claims that this camp has extensive "patriotic" re-education programs for children and prevents their return to their families. Vasily Nebenzya, Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, dismissed these accusations as lies, stating, "The lie about the abduction of Ukrainian children, whom we are actually saving."