The U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions Thursday targeting Russian individuals and companies in relation to alleged activities related to Russia’s occupation of different regions in Ukraine.
“Treasury remains committed to targeting Russian-backed entities that seek to profit from Russia’s illegal annexation and occupation of Crimea,” said Sigal Mandelker, Treasury under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, in a release. “Our sanctions are a clear reminder that efforts seeking to normalize investment and economic relationships with those operating in Crimea will not be tolerated and are subject to U.S. and EU sanctions authorities.”
The sanctions target at least two individuals who have served in the Russian military or intelligence services: Vladimir Nikolaevich Zaritsky, former commander in chief of Russian missile and artillery forces and Andriy Volodymyrovych Sushko, an officer in the Federal Security Service, a successor agency to the KGB, for allegedly abducting and torturing an activist who opposed Russia’s occupation. The sanctions also target Aleksandr Basov, a deputy minister in the Russia-supported separatist movement in east Ukraine, and several Russian companies for operating in Crimea, which Russia annexed and invaded in 2014.
The sanctions comes a day after President Trump laid blame with former President Barack Obama for Crimea’s occupation during a post-midterm elections press conference.
