May 11 (UPI) -- The European Union on Monday imposed new sanctions on Russian individuals and groups accused of illegally deporting Ukrainian children to Russia.
The Council of the European Union said in a release that since the start of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, "Russia is estimated to have deported and forcibly transferred nearly 20,500 Ukrainian children."
"These actions constitute grave breaches of international law and a violation of the fundamental rights of the child and aim to erase Ukrainian identity and undermine the preservation of its future generations," the release said.
The council also accused Russia of the "forced assimilation, including indoctrination and militarized education" of the Ukrainian children as well as their "unlawful adoption."
The sanctions will freeze the assets of those named as well as ban EU citizens and countries from transferring funds, financial assets or other economic resources to them. Those sanctioned are also banned from traveling to or through EU countries.
