US sanctions over 300 targets in Russia’s latest crackdown

The move, which targets Russia’s sanctions evasion, future energy revenues and military-industrial supply chains, marks the latest sanctions and export controls targeting Moscow, which have already hit thousands of targets. And have imposed harsh sanctions on Russia.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement, “Today’s actions will clamp down on (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s ability to unleash savage attacks and advance our global efforts to undermine Russian efforts to evade sanctions.” “

Russia’s foreign ministry said former US President Barack Obama is among 500 American citizens who will be barred in response to the latest round of US sanctions.

The ministry also said Russia had denied the latest US request for consular access to detained reporter Ivan Gershkovich, who is facing espionage charges.

The US and Europe imposed financial sanctions on Russia shortly after the start of the war last year and have since ramped up the pressure, targeting Putin and officials close to him, the financial sector and oligarchs.

Experts say Washington could still impose harsher penalties, though — while the sanctions have clearly hurt Russia’s economy, they have so far failed to deter Putin from pursuing a war that has killed thousands of people. killed and turned cities into rubble.

Read also: Russia and Ukraine extend grain export deal amid ongoing conflict

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday’s action targeted an international network that procured components for a Russia-based entity responsible for building the Orlan drone, which Russian forces and their proxies are using in Ukraine.

An investigation by Reuters and iStories, a Russian media outlet, in collaboration with the Royal United Services Institute, a defense think tank in London, last year revealed a logistical trail that stretches across the globe and includes Orlan’s production line, in particular ends at the Technology Center. in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

The investigation found that one of the most important suppliers to Russia’s drone program has been a Hong Kong-based exporter, Asia Pacific Lynx Ltd., which was targeted by Washington on Friday, as was import company SMT iLogic.

hundreds of targets

The Treasury Department said it imposed sanctions on 22 people and 104 entities with touchpoints in more than 20 countries or jurisdictions, including companies that import, ship or manufacture electronics components, semiconductors and microelectronics in Russia.

As part of its crackdown in recent months on sanctions evasion by Russia, the Treasury Department on Friday designated people and entities in Switzerland, Germany and Liechtenstein.

The targets on Friday were procurement networks and agents of Russian intelligence services, including in Liechtenstein and the Netherlands. Sanctions were also imposed on the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation.

Washington has previously warned that the Kremlin has tasked its intelligence services with finding ways to circumvent sanctions to replace equipment lost on the battlefield.

The Treasury Department said it was targeting Russia’s energy educational and research institutions in an effort to “limit Russia’s future extraction capabilities” by targeting training grounds for Russia’s future energy experts and sites developing new extraction technologies. Is also banning.

Additionally, the Treasury implemented a requirement for Americans to report any assets in their possession or control that have an interest in the Central Bank of Russia, the National Wealth Fund or the Ministry of Finance.

The State Department also designated or blocked the assets of nearly 200 individuals, entities, ships and aircraft and imposed sanctions on the Russian business of Polyus and Polymetal, Russia’s largest gold producer. Polymetal declined to comment. Paulius did not respond to a request for comment.

Subsidiaries of Rosatom, Russia’s state-owned nuclear power company, were also targeted. Washington itself has not imposed sanctions on Rosatom.

The State Department designated two Iranian shipping companies, a port operator and a maritime service provider, as part of deepening ties between Russia and Iran.

The Treasury said US sanctions authorizations had also been extended to more sectors of the Russian economy, including architecture, construction and manufacturing.

The Biden administration also halted exports of a wide range of consumer goods to Russia on Friday and added 71 companies to a Commerce Department list that bars suppliers from selling US technology to unlicensed suppliers.

Dan Fried, the former State Department coordinator for sanctions policy who is now at the Atlantic Council think tank, said Friday’s action was a comprehensive and effective sanctions package, but further actions could still be taken, including on banks. and restrictions are included. Reduction in oil price cap.

“At first glance, it’s a solid list, not a dramatic increase,” Fried said.