On 23 April 2026, the European Council introduced new sanctions against individuals involved in the deportation of Ukrainian children and the looting of Ukraine’s cultural heritage. The measures target representatives of Russian structures engaged in the forced assimilation, indoctrination, and militarization of minors.
The sanctions cover both organizers of “re-education” programs for children and individuals involved in illegal archaeological activities and cultural appropriation in occupied territories.
Dossiers on sanctioned individuals were published as part of the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia.
EU targets organizers of child deportation and militarization
Among those sanctioned is Oleg Ovcharenko, who leads the militarized program “Young Vityaz”, where children, including those from occupied territories, undergo military training and ideological conditioning, as per Ukraine's Book of Torturers.
Sanctions were also imposed on Svitlana Dmytrova, who implements so-called “military-patriotic education” policies in occupied Crimea and coordinates the integration of children into the Russian educational system.
Antonina Shepchenko, a school principal in the Simferopol district, organizes events supporting the Russian army and establishes cadet classes with military training.
Mykhailo Shmoilov organizes trips for children from occupied territories to Russia, where they are subjected to propaganda and military indoctrination.
Fedor Chudinov participates in militaristic youth activities and supports structures linked to the war against Ukraine.
Russia appropriates heritage and erases cultural identity
A separate sanctions block targets individuals involved in illegal archaeological excavations in Crimea and the appropriation of Ukrainian cultural heritage.
Andriy Polyakov was sanctioned for leading excavations in occupied territories without Ukraine’s authorization.
Mykola Makarov heads an institution playing a key role in Russia’s state archaeological policy in Crimea.
Serhii Obryvalin coordinates efforts to integrate the cultural heritage of occupied territories into the Russian space.
Mikhail Piotrovsky, director of the Hermitage Museum, publicly supports Russian policy and contributes to legitimizing the occupation through cultural projects.
Sanctions increase pressure and document crimes against Ukraine
The European Union emphasized that Russia’s actions constitute serious violations of international law and human rights.
The new restrictions aim to increase pressure on individuals involved in war crimes, including the deportation of children and the systematic destruction of Ukrainian cultural identity.
