Brussels: European Union imposed new sanctions on 23 Russian officials and entities accused of forcibly transferring Ukrainian children to Russia and Russian-controlled territories since the start of the war in Ukraine. The bloc said more than 20,500 Ukrainian children have been deported since February 2022, describing the practice as a grave violation of international law.

According to Qatar News Agency, the sanctions target 16 individuals and seven organizations, including institutions linked to Russia's education ministry accused of ideological indoctrination and militarization of minors. The measures include asset freezes and EU travel bans. Kaja Kallas condemned the transfers as one of the most horrific crimes of the conflict, accusing Moscow of attempting to erase Ukraine's future generation.