Canada sanctions 28 targets over violations against Ukrainian children

OTTAWA, May 11, 2026 — Canada added 23 individuals and five entities to Schedule 1 of the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations over violations against Ukrainian children, including unlawful deportation, forcible transfer, indoctrination and militarization. The amendments were registered May 8 and came into force that day.

The designations target children’s rights commissioners in Russia and in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, along with officials overseeing indoctrination and military training of Ukrainian children. The listed entities include facilities and organizations linked to military sports training, patriotic education and youth activities.

The measures prohibit persons in Canada and Canadians abroad from dealing in property of listed persons, entering into transactions with them, providing services to them, transferring property to them or otherwise making goods available to them, unless authorized by permit or an exception under the regulations. Listed individuals are also inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Global Affairs Canada said thousands of Ukrainian children have been illegally deported or forcibly transferred since Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2014, including to Russia and within temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. It said approximately 2,100 children have been returned, while thousands remain in Russia and temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.

Canada said it has sanctioned more than 80 individuals and entities for involvement in violations of the rights of Ukrainian children, and more than 3,400 individuals and entities since 2014 over violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and gross and systematic human rights violations.