For deporting children and propaganda: Britain imposes new sanctions against Russia
The UK has introduced new anti-Russian sanctions. In particular, the restrictions apply to those involved in the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.
The announcement was made by the British Foreign Office.
The sanctions list includes 14 new entries “in response to Russia’s attempts to destroy Ukrainian national identity”. At the same time, 11 sanctioned individuals are involved in the forced deportation of children.
In particular, sanctions were imposed on certain individuals:
- Ksenia Mishonova – Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Moscow Region;
- Sergey Kravtsov – Minister of Education of the Russian Federation;
- Eleonora Fedorenko, the so-called adviser to the ‘head’ of the ‘DPR’ terrorist group on children’s rights;
- Daria Morozova, the so-called ‘human rights’ ombudsman of the ‘DPR’ terrorist group;
- Governor of Kamchatka Vladimir Solodov and Head of the Republic of Adygea Murat Kumpilov;
- Minister of Family, Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Bashkortostan Lenara Ivanova.
According to the British Foreign Office, these individuals “played an insidious role” in the deportation programme developed by Russia, which is aimed at destroying Ukrainian cultural and national identity.
The Foreign Office reminded that the occupiers are taking many children to camps in the occupied Crimea and Russia “for re-education”. In this regard, the Artek International Children’s Centre was subject to sanctions. It is noted that the centre supported the Russian government’s programme of forced deportation and “re-education” of Ukrainian children.
Russian propagandists who spread propaganda aimed at inciting hatred towards Ukraine and Ukrainians have also been sanctioned. This includes Anton Krasovsky, a former host of the propaganda channel Russia Today, who said on air that “Ukrainian children should be drowned and burned”.
The UK also imposed sanctions on Russian Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova for supporting a pernicious anti-Ukrainian policy.
– In the horrific programme of forced deportation of children and the hateful propaganda spewed by his subjects, we see Putin’s true intention – to wipe Ukraine off the map. Today’s sanctions hold to account those who support Putin’s regime, including those who would see Ukraine destroyed, its national identity dissolved and its future erased,” said Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.
The sanctions include an asset freeze and a ban on travel to the UK.
The Office of the President of Ukraine has already responded to this decision.
– “Our McFaul-Yermak sanctions group is working with partners and proposes not to stop and to strengthen sanctions against all those responsible for the abduction of our children,” said Andriy Yermak, head of the Presidential Office.
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, more than 1,600 individuals and legal entities, including 29 banks and more than 130 oligarchs, have been subject to British sanctions.
In March, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova. The case concerns the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children.
Source: UK Foreign Office
