U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Russia for Aggression, Repression, and Chemical Weapons Violations
The United States has taken significant action, sanctioning over 280 individuals and entities to impose additional costs on Russia for its foreign aggression and internal repression.
The Department of State announced sanctions on more than 80 entities and individuals engaged in various activities, including the development of Russia's energy, metals, and mining sectors, sanctions evasion, and support for Russia's war against Ukraine.
Additionally, the Department of State has delivered a determination to Congress under the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act regarding Russia's use of the chemical weapon chloropicrin against Ukrainian troops. This action re-imposes restrictions on foreign military financing, U.S. Government lines of credit, and export licenses for defense articles and national security-sensitive items going to Russia.
Furthermore, three Russian government entities associated with Russia’s chemical and biological weapons programs and four Russian companies contributing to these entities are being sanctioned.
The U.S. is also sanctioning three individuals connected to the death of Aleksey Navalny in a Russian penal colony.
All targets are designated under Executive Order 14024, which authorizes sanctions related to harmful foreign activities of the Government of the Russian Federation.
The United States remains committed to disrupting support for Russia’s military-industrial base and curtailing its use of the international financial system to further its war against Ukraine. It stands in solidarity with Russians striving for a more democratic future and with Ukrainians defending their homeland.
Regarding chemical and biological weapons activities, the Department of State has determined that Russia has used chloropicrin against Ukrainian forces, violating the Chemical Weapons Convention.
This determination follows previous assessments of Russia using riot control agents in Ukraine.
Sanctions include designating three Russian government entities and four companies supporting Russia's chemical and biological weapons programs.
The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior.
In collaboration with the Department of the Treasury, additional entities and individuals involved in procuring items for military institutes engaged in Russia's chemical and biological weapons programs are being sanctioned under a separate WMD non-proliferation authority.
You may find the list of all sanctioned entities and individuals by exploring the fact sheet provided by the Department of State.
Source: Department of State, May 1, 2024
