Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1497322
Sanctions against Russia 48 Commons Library Research Briefing, 22 March 2023 The US also designated 17 subsidiaries of VTB Bank, which was previously sanctioned in February 2022, including a financial company based in the UK: Embassy Development Limited. 194 In February 2023 the US designated additional individuals and entities linked to Vladimir Potanin, Russian businessman Sergei Adonev who acts as a financier to President Putin, and several Russian officials linked to the recruitment of prisoners by the Wagner Group including Dmitry Bezrukikh and Arkady Gostev. Both individuals were sanctioned by the UK in November 2022. In an effort to degrade the actions of the Wagner Group, the US also announced sanctions against five entities and one individual linked to the group and its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin 195 and designated the group as a Transnational Criminal Organization. 196 Response to the Russian annexation of Ukrainian territory In response to the referendums in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, and Russia's subsequent move to annex those regions, the US announced that, in concert with allies, it would impose additional sanctions targeting Russian officials, their families, military officials and defence procurement networks, including international suppliers. 197 • Visa restrictions have been placed on 910 individuals prohibiting entry to the US. • Russian national Ochur-Suge Mongush is sanctioned for his role in a "gross violation of human rights" perpetrated against a Ukrainian prisoner of war. • The remaining members of the State Duma members not previously designated in March 2022 (see above) and all members of the Federation Council are subject to sanctions. 198 • Elvira Nabiullina, Governor of the Russian Central Bank is sanctioned, along with Olga Skorobogatova, First Deputy Governor of the Central Bank. 199 • Family members of Russia's National Security Council have been designated. • Further entities and individuals, including international suppliers, who have supported Russia's defence sector are targeted in this latest round. The US State Department said "this action sends a clear message that 194 US Department of the Treasury, Press release, 15 December 2022 195 US Department of State, Press release, 26 January 2023 196 US Department of the Treasury, Press release, 26 January 2023 197 US Department of State, Press release, 30 September 2022 and US Department of the Treasury, Press release, 30 September 2022 198 With the exception of Federation Council Chair Valentina Matviyenko who was designated by the US in February 2022. The EU and UK have already designated the members of the State Duma and Federation Council. 199 The UK designated Nabiullina on the same day but did not designate Skorobogatova. The US has designated Skorobogatova following earlier guidance on Russian efforts to evade sanctions through its Mir payment system, for which she has oversight. In January 2023, the United States designated the Wagner Group as a Transnational Criminal Organisation (TCO).