The EU’s diplomatic service is drafting new sanctions lists targeting 27 Russian individuals and entities tied to the forced deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children, with the listing expected by month’s end.

Return of abducted children is often a prolonged process, typically mediated by third states such as Qatar, South Africa, and the Vatican.

Ukraine has confirmed the deportation of more than 20,500 children to Russia, while independent estimates reach up to 35,000 or higher, highlighting the difficulty of verification.

Finalizing the listings requires technical work and legal checks to ensure the measures withstand potential court challenges.

There are reports of a Russia-installed catalog of Ukrainian children for coerced adoption through regional education departments, including categorization by age, gender, traits, and personality labels.

In March, the United Nations declared that the deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia constitutes crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The EEAS provided member states with a list of 1,600 individuals and entities supporting Russia’s war effort, signaling a shift toward more targeted sanctions.

This moves builds on May sanctions against 16 individuals and seven entities and reflects a broader, ongoing EU effort to address Russia’s mass abduction of Ukrainian children.