Switzerland adopts EU's Ukraine sanctions targeting those involved with the transfer and indoctrination of Ukrainian children

BERN, June 15, 2026 — Switzerland has updated its sanctions regime tied to the war in Ukraine, adding 16 individuals and seven entities accused of involvement in the deportation, forced transfer, forced assimilation or militarized education of Ukrainian children from occupied territories, according to a State Secretariat for Economic Affairs notice. The modification was dated June 15 and entered into force on June 16.

The Swiss filing said the measures were of EU origin and were made under Switzerland’s ordinance on measures connected to the situation in Ukraine. The listings impose financial sanctions and entry and transit bans.

Those named include Igor Zhuravlev, director of the All-Russian Children’s Centre “Smena”; Andranik Gasparyan, commander of the military-patriotic youth center “Warrior”; Dmitriy Shevchenko, director of the “Warrior” center; and Anastasia Akkuratova, a Russian Education Ministry official accused of helping adapt guardianship and registration procedures for relocated Ukrainian minors.

The entities listed include the All Russian Children’s Centre “Smena,” Avangard Military Camp, the Regional Branch of DOSAAF Russia in Sevastopol, the Military-Patriotic Club “Patriot,” the Nakhimov Naval School, the All-Russian Children’s Centre “Orlyonok,” and the All-Russian Children’s Centre “Scarlet Sails.” Swiss authorities said the organizations were part of structures linked to ideological indoctrination, Russification or military-style training of minors from occupied Ukrainian territory.

The move aligns Switzerland with an EU sanctions package announced in May targeting people and institutions accused of playing roles in the unlawful deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children. The EU said that package covered 16 individuals and seven entities.

The latest Swiss action underscores continued Western focus on networks accused of moving Ukrainian children into Russian state systems, camps and youth programs, where officials say they face pro-Russian indoctrination and, in some cases, military training.