The sanctions target Russian defense manufacturer Izhevsky Mekhanichesky Zavod, banks, port operators in Crimea and Rosneft’s subsidiaries, among others.
“Today’s action is designed to counter attempts to circumvent our sanctions, to further align US measures with those of our international partners, and to provide additional information to assist the private sector with sanctions compliance,” the Treasury explained in a press release.
The Treasury added the companies and individuals omitted references to Crimea in documenting financial and trade transactions targeted by US sanctions.
“The evasive practices identified by OFAC [Office of Foreign Assets Control] include the omission or obfuscation of references to Crimea and locations within Crimea in documentation underlying transactions involving US persons or the United States. These practices apply to a range of activities involving both the financial services and international trade sectors,” the release said.
The United States, the European Union and their allies imposed several rounds of economic, financial and technological sanctions on Russia over alleged meddling in Ukraine’s internal affairs – a claim Moscow has repeatedly denied.
Crimea seceded from Ukraine to rejoin Russia in March 2014 after a referendum in which 96 percent of residents voted in favour of reunification with Russia. Kiev and its western allies labelled the move an "annexation." Moscow has stated that the Crimean citizens' vote fully complied with international law.
