The Department of State is pursuing visa restrictions for five Russian officials and authorities backed or installed by Russia for their involvement in human rights abuses in Ukraine, including the forced deportation, transfer, and confinement of Ukrainian children. Many of these children have had their identities changed and origins obscured, have been subjected to pro-Russia indoctrination and militarization, or have been adopted by Russian families. Kremlin authorities have created a multitude of obstacles preventing the return of these children to Ukraine. Russia's continued contempt for its international legal obligations to report the locations of these children makes securing their safe return nearly impossible.
Since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has unjustly and unlawfully transferred or deported thousands of Ukraine's children. As it fights to defend its very existence as a sovereign, independent state, Ukraine is grappling with the extraordinary challenge of locating these children, negotiating their release, bringing them home, and providing the critical support they need. We are deeply concerned by the increasing number of reports of Ukrainian children being wrongfully adopted by Russian citizens. The deportation of children from Ukraine is a deliberate, systematic effort by the Kremlin that began even before its full-scale invasion.
The United States will continue to pursue all available tools to help Ukraine in its effort to locate and return its unlawfully transferred or deported children. In addition, we will continue to promote justice for victims and accountability for those involved in Russia's human rights abuses, such as today's announced visa restrictions.
This action is pursuant to a visa restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which authorizes the Secretary of State to restrict visa issuance to Russian Federation military officials and Russia-backed or Russia-installed purported officials who are believed to have been involved in human rights abuses, violations of international humanitarian law, or public corruption in Ukraine.
