Russian president Vladimir Putin has signed a controversial measure that bans the adoption of children by U.S. families, according to The Kremlin.
The move is believed to be a retaliation to a U.S. law that imposes travel and financial restrictions on human rights abusers in Russia.
The new law could affect hundreds of American families seeking to adopt. Last year, close to 1,000 Russian children were adopted by Americans, according to U.S. State Department figures.