A Russian-Canadian national, Kristina Puzyreva, pleaded guilty in a New York court to participating in a conspiracy to launder money tied to shipments of unmanned aerial vehicles, guided missiles, and other weapon systems to sanctioned Russian enterprises. This information comes from the United States Department of Justice and the collection agency TASS. Puzyreva faces potential imprisonment for up to twenty years as prosecutors detail that the shipments breached export controls and sanctions, and the components later appeared on the battlefield in Ukraine.
The United States has also imposed sanctions on Russian cybersecurity actor Alexander Ermakov, adding him to the sanctions list in January. In another development, Sergei Karpushkin, a Belarusian citizen residing in Miami, Florida, admitted to purchasing metal from a business partner under American sanctions, according to DOJ disclosures.
EU authorities extended individual sanctions against Russia last September through March 15, 2024. Since 2014, roughly 1,800 Russian individuals and organizations have been subjected to restrictions. The measures typically include travel bans to EU member states, asset freezes, and prohibitions on funding for listed persons and entities.
Earlier, the United States broadened its sanctions program against the Russian Federation, signaling ongoing sanctions enforcement alongside allied nations. The evolving set of policies reflects continued cooperation among Western partners to curb illicit financial flows and to deter activities that undermine international norms. Observers in Canada and the United States note that the sanctions regime remains a key tool for limiting access to financing, technology, and markets for sanctioned entities. In this context, authorities emphasize vigilance across border controls, financial networks, and export screening to prevent the leakage of restricted goods to conflict zones.