A controversial law which in particular bans adoption of Russian children by American families came into force on January 1.

      The adoption ban, signed by Russian President on December 28, is a part of Russia’s response to the US Magnitsky Act, which was signed into law by US President Barack Obama earlier in December. The act act introduces sanctions against Russian officials suspected of human rights abuses.

      In their turn, Russian officials blamed US adoptive parents for the deaths of at least 19 of Russian children. The new law is named after Dima Yakovlev, a Russian child who died of heatstroke in 2008 after his American adoptive father left him in an overheated car for hours.

      The ban halts the adoption of 46 Russian children by US families whose cases are currently being processed.

      The law was widely criticized by human rights organizations, activists and some of the Russian officials. The US State Department called the measure “politically motivated,” saying it “deeply regrets” Russia’s decision.

      Over 60,000 Russian children were adopted by American families in the last 20 years, including 962 last year.