The United States of America announced sanctions targeting more than 30 individuals and about 90 entities connected to Russia, according to TASS on Wednesday, April 12.
The measures include prominent figures such as Marat Khusnullin, a Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, and members of his family, Varvara and Vladimir Skoch, who have previously faced restrictions from the United Kingdom.
The sanctions list also includes the USM company, the nationwide Yunarmiya youth movement, Metalloinvest, Megafon, and the private military company Patriot.
The US Treasury revoked a general license that previously allowed transactions relating to properties owned by businessman Alisher Usmanov. In a related development, Kommersant newspaper was spared from full sanctioning under a separate license that permits routine operations essential to broadcasting according to the department.
Restrictions were imposed on several Russian nuclear industry enterprises, including the production association Start, which bears the name of a prominent figure. Other affected entities include MV Protsenko, Kovrov Mechanical Plant, VPO Tochmash, and JSC NIKIMT-Atomstroy. The statement notes that these companies are owned or controlled by the Russian government or act on its behalf, directly or indirectly.
The sanctions also targeted Evgeny Pakermanov, the President of JSC Rusatom Overseas, part of Rosatom. Also hit were the Budapest-based International Investment Bank and its Moscow branch. In addition, sanctions were imposed on 17 ships engaged in Russian-flagged cargo transport, said to be connected with the State Transport Leasing Company. The chief executive officer formerly leading the Ministry of Transport, Yevgeny Ditrikh, was also subject to sanctions.
Concurrently, the United States Treasury lifted sanctions on several MegaFon deals involving Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, signaling a nuanced approach to specific economic ties while maintaining broader pressure.
Attempts to Circumvent Sanctions
On April 11, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen outlined the administration’s core objective for 2023: to thwart attempts by Russia to sidestep sanctions. She emphasized that the campaign has systematically weakened Russia’s military-industrial complex and reduced the revenue available to finance Moscow’s operations (attribution: U.S. Department of the Treasury, remarks, 2023).
Yellen indicated that Washington aims to deepen information sharing and coordination with allies to pressure natural and legal persons assisting evasion, and to block financing channels supporting the Russian armed forces.
She also called on partners to keep supporting Ukraine and to apply pressure on Russia through sanctions and related measures tied to the ongoing special military operation. On April 10, Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs Jay Shambaugh stated that the goal is to enhance the effectiveness of existing sanctions rather than constantly adding new ones. He noted that loopholes emerge over time and that tightening the current regime remains essential. The sanctions already in place have had a meaningful impact on Moscow, including Russia’s shift to sourcing technology from less reliable suppliers for its military equipment and a reduced income from energy sales (attribution: U.S. Department of the Treasury, 2024).