US imposes new sanctions on Russian-backed Crimean officials

The United States imposed new sanctions on illegitimate Russian-backed Crimean officials and a railroad company linking Crimea to Russia.
“Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated eight individuals and one entity in response to Russia’s continued aggression toward Ukraine and attempted occupation of Crimea,” reads the statement of the U.S. Department of the Treasury released on January 29.

As noted, seven of those individuals were also designated by the European Union. In addition to the United States, Canada designated these same individuals as part of a coordinated action in a strong demonstration of the international community’s continued condemnation of Russia’s interference in Crimean politics. “Additionally, OFAC designated one individual and one entity providing rail services in support of Russia’s efforts to deepen the economic integration of Russia and Crimea. Today’s action demonstrates Treasury’s unwavering commitment to continue holding Russia accountable for its destabilizing activity in Ukraine,” the statement reads.

Thus, the sanctions were imposed on seven officials of the Crimean occupation authorities, including the so-called Prime Minister of the so-called Republic of Crimea, the so-called Acting Governor of Sevastopol, the so-called Chairman of the Legislative Assembly, the so-called Chairman of the Sevastopol Election Commission, the so-called Deputy Chairman of the Sevastopol Election Commission, the so-called Secretary of the Sevastopol Election Commission, the so-called member of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation representing Sevastopol. Moscow-based private railway company Grand Service Express and its CEO, Alexander Ganov, were also designated.

The OFAC added that foreign persons that knowingly engaged in a significant transaction or transactions with the persons designated might themselves face the risk of designation.