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UK Sanctions Chechen Officials and Russian Figures Over Abduction of Ukrainian Children
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![Photo of Liubava Petriv]( "Photo of Liubava Petriv")
On September 3, the UK government announced new sanctions against eight individuals and three organizations linked to Russia over the forced deportation, indoctrination, and militarization of Ukrainian children.
Those targeted include:
Akhmat Kadyrov Foundation—a Chechen charity named after Akhmat Kadyrov, the former first president of the Chechen Republic. The foundation is accused of organizing “re-education” programs for Ukrainian children and subjecting them to military-style training.
Aymani Nesievna Kadyrova—wife of Akhmat Kadyrov and mother of Ramzan Kadyrov, the current head of Chechnya. She serves as president of the foundation and oversees its programs.
Valery Mayorov—head of the Russian Center for Youth Programs, which promotes “patriotic education” and has been accused of spreading pro-Kremlin ideology among children in occupied Ukrainian territories.
Nataliya Vitaliyivna Tyshchenko—a Russian official linked to youth programs that reinforce Kremlin propaganda and support indoctrination efforts targeting Ukrainian children.
All-Russian Public-State Movement of Children and Youth “Movement of the First”—a Kremlin-created youth movement established in 2022 and modeled on Soviet-era Pioneer organizations. It promotes loyalty to the Russian state and is involved in shaping the worldview of children in occupied regions.
Zamid Alievich Chalayev—a Chechen military commander under Ramzan Kadyrov, involved in the militarization of youth and accused of facilitating the forced training of Ukrainian children.
Leyla Rinatovna Fazleeva—deputy prime minister of Tatarstan, responsible for youth and social policies, including programs accused of participating in the indoctrination of children taken from Ukraine.
Rinat Nailevich Sadykov—minister of education and science of Tatarstan, overseeing the implementation of Russian curricula in occupied Ukrainian schools.
Aleksandr Gurov—Russian youth policy figure involved in coordinating programs designed to instill pro-Russian narratives among children.
Anastasia Pavlovna Akkuratova—Russian activist connected with patriotic and volunteer movements that promote Kremlin ideology to young people.
Volunteers of Victory—a nationwide volunteer organization tied to state propaganda campaigns. It mobilizes youth for pro-Kremlin activities and is accused of helping to normalize Russia’s war against Ukraine.
According to Ukrainian authorities, more than 19,500 children have been forcibly transferred or deported to Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion, with around 6,000 placed in camps described as re-education facilities.
On occupied territories, Russian officials have also introduced their own school curriculum, which removes Ukrainian language and history, and prepares children for possible future service in the Russian armed forces.
The international community has raised alarm over these practices. In May, the European Parliament adopted a resolution demanding the immediate return of all unlawfully transferred Ukrainian children. Lawmakers called on Russia to stop the deportations, grant international organizations full access, and ensure the children are safely returned to their families in Ukraine.
Previously, it was reported that Russian occupation authorities in Ukraine have created an online “catalog” where Ukrainian children are listed for adoption, sorted by physical traits such as eye and hair color.
