An increasingly anti-American sentiment in Russia has led to the passing of a new law that would ban American citizens from adopting Russian children. The bill puts into limbo the fate of 52 orphans who were in the process of being adopted by Americans.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill Friday that would prevent Americans from adopting Russian children.
Vladimir Putin (right) attends a State Council meeting in Kremlin. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev looks on.
Image by Natalia Kolesnikova, Pool / AP
The bill was passed unanimously earlier this week by Russia's parliament.
Council members listen to the national anthem in the Russian parliament's upper chamber in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012.
Image by Misha Japaridze / AP
UNICEF has estimates that there are about 74,000 children not in parental custody in Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, shakes hands with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, as the Parliament's upper house Speaker Valentina Matviyenko looks on.
Image by Natalia Kolesnikova, Pool / AP
According to the U.S. State Department, Americans adopted around 1,000 Russian children last year. A Russian children's rights organization says the bill has terminated the pending adoptions of 52 orphans.
UNICEF's Children in Russia - 2009 study.
Image by Dmitry Lovetsky / AP
