US launches new sanctions package targeting Russian individuals and firms

Read also: Sanctions ready but on hold: United States prepares new measures against Russia

The sanctions list includes several Russian citizens, including Sergey Zelenyuk, Oleg Kucherov, and Marina Vasanovich, as well as Azizjon Mamashoyev, a citizen of Uzbekistan.

In the US, Zelenyuk is suspected of purchasing and later reselling at least eight cyber tools that belonged to the US government and were stolen from an American company, after which they were sold without proper authorization.

The US Department of the Treasury also imposed sanctions on the companies Advance Security Solutions and Special Technology Services LLC FZ, registered in the United Arab Emirates, as well as on the Russian company MATRIX LLC in Russia.

According to the agency, these individuals and companies are engaged in buying, selling, and trading undisclosed software vulnerabilities — so-called zero-day exploits — which can be used for cyberattacks, information theft, and the creation of ransomware programs.

The restrictive measures were introduced under the CAATSA law, which provides for sanctions related to intellectual property violations and activities connected to cyber threats.

US increases pressure of sanctions on Russia

US President Donald Trump approved extending sanctions against Russia for one year — sanctions that were introduced due to the invasion of Ukraine.

The US presidential order states that Russia’s actions and policies continue to constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the US.

Later, the Kremlin called the US president’s decision to extend sanctions against Russia for another year automatic. The Kremlin also hopes that the White House will lift anti-Russian sanctions, as the removal of sanctions against Russia allegedly serves US interests.