The UK government announced new sanctions against Moscow on Monday, noting the “forced deportation” of children from Ukraine to Russian-controlled territory.
In response to “Russia’s efforts to destroy Ukrainian national identity”, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly targeted those involved in the “forced deportation” of Ukrainian children ahead of a speech at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 14 announced sanctions. of a session on the war in Ukraine.
Those banned include Russia’s Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov and Ksenia Mishonova, commissioner for child rights in the Moscow region. AFP This information was given by quoting a statement from the Foreign Office.
Britain accused them of playing “a pernicious role in Russia’s planned program of deportations designed to eradicate Ukrainian cultural and national identity”.
It added that “more than 19,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly deported by the Russian authorities to Russia or temporarily to Russian-controlled territory.”
The UK said, many of the deportees have been transferred to a network of re-education camps, “where they are exposed to Russia-centred academic, cultural, patriotic and military education”.
“In his horrific program of forced deportation of children and the hate propaganda spewed by his supporters, we see (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s true intent – to wipe Ukraine off the map,” Cleverly said.
“Today’s sanctions hold accountable those who support Putin’s regime, including those who would rather see Ukraine destroyed, its national identity eroded, and its future eroded.”
London has already sanctioned Russia’s child rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova “for her alleged involvement in the forced relocation and adoption of Ukrainian children”.
Two individuals were also banned on Monday for “spreading hate propaganda inciting violence and hatred towards Ukraine and its people”, including former Russia Today presenter Anton Krasovsky.
Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova has also been targeted for “using her position to support harmful anti-Ukrainian policies of the Russian state”.
The UK and international partners have sanctioned more than 1,600 individuals and entities since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
