Replica WWII gun barrels stand in Red Square for a military parade in Moscow November 2, 2018.
MLADEN ANTONOV | AFP | Getty Images
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Wednesday imposed fresh sanctions on the financial network linked to Russian billionaire business magnate Alisher Usmanov, as part of broader efforts to crack down on sanctions evasion.
Usmanov, one of Russia’s richest billionaires with direct ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, was sanctioned in March 2022 in the weeks following Moscow’s sweeping invasion of Ukraine.
“While the Kremlin seeks ways to circumvent the sweeping multilateral sanctions and export controls imposed on Russia for its war in Ukraine, the United States and our allies and partners will continue to disrupt circumvention plans that support Putin on the battlefield,” he said Treasury Department Undersecretary Brian Nelson on Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.
“Today’s action underscores our commitment to implement the G7 commitment to impose heavy costs on third-country actors who support Russia’s war,” he added.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced it would sanction 25 individuals and 29 organizations in 20 jurisdictions for working with Usmanov. In a joint effort, the State Department also sanctioned several entities for supporting the invasion of Ukraine, including two responsible for the militarization and indoctrination of Ukrainian children.
“The United States will continue to take action against Russia and those who support its war in Ukraine, including continuing to implement the G7 commitment to impose severe consequences on third-country actors who support Russia’s war in Ukraine,” Secretary Antony said Flash.
The sanctions correspond to the addition of 28 entities to a Department of Commerce-maintained list of threats to US national security. Based in Armenia, China, Malta, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan, the units supported Russia’s defense system, coordinated the transfer of goods from Iran to Russia, and procured items for Russian units. according to an announcement.
“The United States is responding swiftly and in a coordinated manner to Putin’s egregious violation of international law,” Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves said in a statement. “The Biden-Harris administration, along with our partners and allies, will continue to dismantle Russia’s military and defense industrial base through the use of export controls.”
Sanctioned companies include:
- Cypriot citizen Demetrios Serghides, an adviser to Usmanov, and the Sister Trust
- Usmanov’s network in Cyprus
- Executives with ties to Usmanov
- Members of the billionaire Skoch family
- Usmanov’s stepson Natan Adadievich Viner
- Sequoia Trust Trust, a trust company affiliated with Russia
- Several suppliers help circumvent sanctions and source goods for Russia
- A Hungary-based, Russian-controlled financial institution called the International Investment Bank
Last year, German authorities seized the world’s largest superyacht after it was officially confirmed that the ship had ties to Usmanov.
The yacht, named Dilbar after Usmanov’s mother, spans 500 feet and is equipped with two helipads and the largest indoor pool ever installed on a private ship. The Treasury estimates the current value of Usmanov’s yacht at around $735 million.
READ ALSO: World’s Largest Yacht Linked To Russian Billionaire Usmanov Is Seized By Germany
Usmanov and his superyacht came into the crosshairs of the US and its allies after coordinated global sanctions against Russian elites linked to the Kremlin.
Southampton, England, UK, Superyacht Dilbar 15,917 tonne, owned by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, departing Southampton Harbour.
ug | Universal picture group | Getty Images
A $90 million megayacht owned by billionaire Viktor Vekselberg was confiscated in Spain last April with the help of US authorities. Vekselberg was born in Ukraine but founded the huge, Russia-based conglomerate Renova Group.
Last March, French authorities seized a giant yacht they say is linked to Igor Sechin, a Russian billionaire who is CEO of state-owned oil company Rosneft. Previously, he was Deputy Prime Minister of Russia in Putin’s government.
The Lady M, known to be the property of Russian billionaire Alexei Mordashov, was previously seized in Italy.
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that some of the sanctions relate to alleged attempts to indoctrinate Ukrainian children.
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