EU Sanctions 10 Individuals for Ukrainian Child Deportation, Cultural Looting on April 23, 2026

On April 23, 2026, the European Council introduced new sanctions targeting individuals involved in the deportation of Ukrainian children and the looting of Ukraine’s cultural heritage. These measures are part of the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia and focus on representatives of Russian structures engaged in the forced assimilation, indoctrination, and militarization of minors, as well as those involved in illegal archaeological activities and cultural appropriation in occupied territories.

Among those sanctioned for child-related activities are Oleg Ovcharenko, leader of the militarized program «Young Vityaz»; Svitlana Dmytrova, who implements «military-patriotic education» in occupied Crimea; Antonina Shepchenko, a school principal organizing pro-Russian army events and cadet classes; Mykhailo Shmoilov, who organizes propaganda trips for children to Russia; and Fedor Chudinov, involved in militaristic youth activities.

Sanctions also target individuals involved in illegal archaeological excavations and cultural appropriation in Crimea. These include Andriy Polyakov, for leading unauthorized excavations; Mykola Makarov, head of a key institution in Russia’s archaeological policy in Crimea; Serhii Obryvalin, who coordinates integrating occupied territories’ cultural heritage into Russia; and Mikhail Piotrovsky, director of the Hermitage Museum, for supporting Russian policy and legitimizing the occupation through cultural projects.

These new restrictions aim to increase pressure on individuals involved in war crimes, serious violations of international law, and the systematic destruction of Ukrainian cultural identity.