U.S. imposes new sanctions on Russia's technology sector

U.S. imposes new sanctions on Russia’s technology sector. 

WASHINGTON: In reaction to President Vladimir Putin’s assault on Ukraine, the U.S. imposed new sanctions on Russia on Thursday, targeting the technology industry, a sanctions evasion network, and “malicious cyber actors,” laying the path for action against other sectors.

“Until this immoral war of choice is ended, we will continue to attack Putin’s war machine with sanctions from every angle,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said.

The U.S. Treasury Department sanctions 21 businesses and 13 individuals, including Joint Stock Company Mikron, Russia’s largest chipmaker and microelectronics manufacturer and exporter.

Washington also determined that three new sectors of the Russian economy are subject to penalties under an existing executive order that allows the U.S. to impose restrictions on anybody or anything involved in the aerospace, marine, or electronics industries.

The moves taken on Thursday effectively freeze the assets of individuals targeted in the United States and prevent Americans from dealing with them.

Serniya Engineering, situated in Moscow, and Serial, an equipment manufacturer, have both been charged by the Treasury Department with illegally procuring equipment and technology for Russia’s defense sector that can also be utilized for civilian purposes.

The Treasury sanctioned the two entities and other organizations and individuals for allegedly being part of a sanctions evasion network.

Requests for comment on the measures were not immediately returned by the Russian embassy in Washington or Mikron. SerniyaLikewise, and Sertal could not be reached for comment right away.

In the five weeks since Russia conducted the largest attack on a European state since World War II, the United States has placed sanctions on Russia many times. It’s referred to as a “special operation” in Moscow.

Putin warned on Thursday that Western nations will try to establish fresh grounds for sanctions against Russia and that his country must strive to keep and create jobs.