US sanctiones officials, companies linked to war in Ukraine

The Treasury Department announced sanctions against Russian arms dealer Igor Zimenkov, his son Jonathan and companies linked to “rrjet Zimenkov” in Singapore, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Israel, among several other countries.

Russia's desperate efforts to use third parties to bypass US sanctions show that sanctions have made it much more difficult and costly for the Russian military industry to supply Putin's” military machinery, said Deputy Secretary of Treasury Wally Adeyemo.

The Treasury Department imposed sanctions on 22 individuals and organisations, for which it said it was connected to the network for cutting sanctions aimed at supporting the Russian military machine.

The Treasury Department said that sanctions were imposed over the past year against more than 100 individuals and subjects engaged in activities to eliminate international sanctions and control of exports to Russia.

The measure blocks any accounts subject to the United States and prohibits them from doing business with Americans or in the United States.

“Targeting mediators is one of the many steps the Treasury Department and coalition partners have undertaken and continue to take, to limit the implementation of sanctions against the Russian defence sector”, said Mr. Adeyemo.

More weapons raise tensions, Russia says

Russia said Wednesday that Ukraine's supply of long-range weapons will not contain Russian forces, but will increase tensions and escalate conflict.

Comments from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov came amid reports that the United States is preparing a new round of aid for Ukraine that would include longer-range missiles to assist Ukrainian forces in the face of Russian aggression.

Reuters news agency reported that, according to two US officials aware of the issue, a weapon called a small diameter bomb released from the ground by a 150km radius was part of the package expected to be announced this week.

Also part of the package is expected to be antitank “Javelin”, anti-dance and artillery systems, armoured vehicles, communication equipment and medical equipment sufficient for the management of three hospitals on the ground.
Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to President Volodyyr Zelensky, wrote on Wednesday on the Twitter network that each phase of the war requires specific weapons. He said there is already a coalition of partners helping Ukraine with tanks and training for their use, and that there are “talking about longer-range missiles and supply of fighter aircraft”. / VOA