Canada sanctions Russian officials, individuals over deportation of Ukrainian children

Canada has imposed sanctions on Russian Emergency Situations Minister Alexandr Kurenkov and seven other individuals over their alleged involvement in the deportation, indoctrination and militarisation of Ukrainian children, according to an order published by the Canadian government.

The sanctions also target Grigory Gurov, head of Russia’s Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh); Artur Orlov, chairman of the board of the First Movement; Denis Chernobay, head of the movement’s regional council; Vladimir Khromov, an adviser to the Office of Russia’s Children’s Ombudsman; and Elena Milskaya, chair of the board of trustees of the National Centre for Assistance to Missing and Abused Children.

The list also includes Alexandra Kulgina and Vitaliy Suk, director of the Oleshkivskyi Children’s Home.

According to the Canadian government, the sanctioned individuals have been or are involved in activities linked to the transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia, as well as efforts to indoctrinate and militarise them.

The latest measures add to a broader Canadian sanctions regime targeting Russia over its war against Ukraine.

In June, Ottawa imposed restrictions on seven individuals and 34 Russian entities, including the Moscow Exchange and the St Petersburg Exchange. Canada also sanctioned 120 vessels it said were associated with Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” used to circumvent international sanctions and restrictions on Russian oil exports.