Forced deportation of Ukrainian children is now explicitly written into US law as a ground for sanctions

On 18 September, the US President signed H.R. 5334 — the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.

The law provides for sanctions against foreign individuals and entities that knowingly engage, directly or indirectly, in serious human rights abuses against citizens of Ukraine — including forcible transfers and the forced deportation of children.

This means accountability can extend beyond those who physically removed a child. Officials, institutions, intermediaries and other enablers who organised, processed, financed or otherwise facilitated these crimes may also face consequences.

The measures include the blocking of assets under US jurisdiction, as well as visa and entry restrictions.

“The deportation of children now carries a price written into US law, not only into political statements. Because the law covers indirect involvement, it reaches not just the people who physically removed a child, but those who processed and paid for it. Our job is to make sure this does not stay on paper — we are ready to hand the US side verified material on specific people and institutions,” said Maksym Maksymov, Head of Bring Kids Back UA.

The law does not automatically designate specific individuals or organisations. It creates a statutory mechanism that must now be translated into concrete decisions.

This is a significant step towards accountability for Russia’s deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children. We will continue working until every Ukrainian child is home and all those responsible are held accountable.