U.S. sanctions target Russian child deportation officials

The deportations of Ukrainian children from territories occupied by Russia intensified after the full-scale invasion began in 2022. Kyiv is unable to estimate the full extent of this phenomenon, but some extreme estimates suggest that hundreds of thousands of people could have been deported. The abductions of children prompted the International Criminal Court in The Hague to issue an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Responsibility for this action also threatens other Russians. The American diplomatic department reported that five Russian officials involved in the forced deportations and detention of Ukrainians have been banned from entering the U.S. Their identities were not disclosed.

"Many of these children had their identities altered and their origins concealed. They were subjected to pro-Russian indoctrination and militarization or were adopted by Russian families. Russia's consistent disregard for its international legal obligations to report the locations of these children makes ensuring their safe return nearly impossible," said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

Also on Wednesday, separate sanctions were announced against TGR Group. The company operates an international network of entities and individuals, thus enabling Russia to circumvent U.S.-imposed restrictions. Sanctions were imposed on five individuals and four entities in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates. The network, led by Russia-born Ukrainian citizen George Rossi, was reportedly using cryptocurrencies linked to the U.S. dollar, including Tether, to launder Russian money or conceal its origins, allowing activities such as the purchase of real estate in the United Kingdom.