The US Treasury Department announced the sanctioning of 29 other companies and 25 people linked to the Russian government for the invasion of Ukraine, including Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, according to a statement released on Wednesday.
Other entities targeted by the latest round of sanctions include Russian telecommunications provider Megafon, steel giant Metalloinvest and Rusatom Overseas, a subsidiary of Russian nuclear agency Rosatom responsible for building nuclear facilities in foreign.
However, the main target of the new sanctions package appears to be the network of Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov, whose holdings in metals, mining, technology and telecommunications have made him one of the wealthiest oligarchs in the world. Russia, with an estimated net worth of $19.5. billion.
While Usmanov, believed to be close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has himself been under sanctions for more than a year, the US Treasury said he still had at his disposal “a vast network companies in financial havens and family members”. through which to conduct financial transactions, allowing it to potentially circumvent sanctions. »
Among those linked to Usmanov who were sanctioned on Wednesday are three people from Cyprus who are listed as directors of a Cyprus-registered company, Almenor, which is believed to be linked to Usmanov.
“As the Kremlin seeks ways to circumvent the sweeping multilateral sanctions and export controls imposed on Russia for its war against Ukraine, the United States and our allies and partners will continue to disrupt escape plans. who support Putin on the battlefield,” the Treasury Undersecretary said. for terrorism and financial intelligence, said Brian E. Nelson.
“Today’s action underscores our resolve to implement the G7 commitment to impose heavy costs on third country actors who support Russia’s war.”