EU sanctions 27 over transfers of Ukrainian children
The EU added ten people and 17 entities to its sanctions list on September 28, saying they were involved in transferring Ukrainian children to Russia and occupied areas and in forced assimilation. A North Korean state camp is among the entities. The measures freeze assets and restrict travel for listed people; the Council’s reasons for listing remain allegations, not court findings against every target.
Geopolitics··Evening
Sanctions extend to 27 targets
The Council of the European Union added ten people and 17 entities to its sanctions list on September 28 over what it describes as the unlawful transfer and forced assimilation of Ukrainian children. An independent Sofia-based outlet also reported the decision and the same number of targets. The new package concerns children taken to Russia or within Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory. It is a sanctions decision about alleged conduct, rather than an announcement that transfers have stopped or children have returned.[1], [2]
North Korean camp appears on the list
The listed institutions include Moscow’s tourism committee, Russian companies involved in children’s travel and recreation, and camps and sports centres in Russia and occupied territory. The Council also named Songdowon International Children’s Camp, a state-operated camp in North Korea. It says that camp took part in programmes transferring Ukrainian children from occupied territory in coordination with Russia and promoting pro-Russian narratives. Tatarstan leader Rustam Minnikhanov, education and sport officials in occupied areas, and managers of camps are among the listed individuals. These descriptions state the Council’s grounds for listing; they are not independent findings about each target.[1]
Asset freezes and travel bans take effect
The measures freeze assets held in the EU by listed people and organisations. EU persons and companies may not make funds or other economic resources available to them, and listed individuals cannot enter or transit EU territory. The Council says the legal acts were published in the Official Journal. This package is separate from the earlier May listing of 16 people and seven entities over similar conduct. The September decision widens the named set of targets; it does not itself establish whether a particular child has been returned or settle the underlying allegations in a court.[1]
