Britain has announced a fresh wave of sanctions against Russia, aimed at people it claimed were involved with the “barbaric treatment of children in Ukraine”.
Those who have been sanctioned include Russian children’s rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova, for allegedly orchestrating the forced transfer and adoption in Russia of 2,000 Ukrainian children violently taken from the Luhansk and Donetsk regions.
Each has been dealt an asset freeze preventing them from dealing with British banks or businesses, and a ban on flying to the UK.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: “Today we are targeting the enablers and perpetrators of [Vladimir] Putin’s war who have brought untold suffering to Ukraine, including the forced transfer and adoption of children.
“We will not tire of defending freedom and democracy, and keeping up the pressure on Putin, until Ukraine succeeds.”
The Foreign Office said that in her role as Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Ms Lvova-Belova was responsible for undermining and threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Specifically, the Ukrainian foreign ministry has accused her of orchestrating the forced abduction and adoption of Ukrainian children in Russia.
