EU and UK impose coordinated sanctions on Russia over forced deportation of Ukrainian children

On May 11, 2026 the European Union and United Kingdom announced coordinated sanctions over Russia's systematic deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children. The EU Council adopted restrictive measures against 16 individuals and seven entities (23 listings total) responsible for unlawful deportation, forced transfer, forced assimilation, indoctrination, militarized education and unlawful adoption of Ukrainian minors. Listed entities include federal institutions tied to Russia's Ministry of Education—the All-Russian Children's Centres Orlyonok, Scarlet Sails and Smena—plus the DOSAAF Centre in Sevastopol, the Nakhimov Naval School and the Military-Patriotic Club 'Patriot' in Crimea, which the EU said run re-education and militarization programs.

Those listed face asset freezes and travel bans, and EU persons are barred from making funds available to them. In parallel, the UK FCDO designated 85 individuals and entities: 29 linked to forced deportation and militarization of Ukrainian children, and 56 targeting Kremlin 'information warfare,' including 49 people associated with the Social Design Agency (SDA), which London said was directed by the Russian Presidential Administration to run influence operations. The UK also named the 'Warrior Centre' (Centre for Military Sports Training and Patriotic Education of Youth) and announced an additional £1.2 million (split £600,000 to a Verification Centre and £600,000 to a Ukrainian-led tracing programme) to help identify and return deported children.

Ukraine has verified roughly 20,500 deported children; Euronews noted higher estimates from Yale's Humanitarian Research Lab (~35,000) and Moscow's contested claim of up to 700,000. EU foreign-policy chief Kaja Kallas called the deportations 'a deliberate Russian policy, a calculated attack on Ukraine's future,' while UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Britain 'will not stand idly by as Putin seeks to sow lies.' The designations are administrative measures; underlying allegations are those of the EU and UK.