OFAC Details Scope of Russia Sanctions, Clarifies Authorizations to Support People Impacted by War

In a Fact Sheet, OFAC described the administration and enforcement of "multiple authorities under which sanctions have been imposed on Russia." OFAC clarified how U.S. sanctions against Russia do not stand in the way of agricultural trade, access to communication and other support to those impacted by Russia's war against Ukraine. OFAC also issued General License No. 27, which authorizes additional transactions that support nongovernmental organizations' activities pursuant to EO 14024 ("Blocking Property With Respect To Specified Harmful Foreign Activities of the Government of the Russian Federation").

In the Fact Sheet, OFAC explained that sanctions allow both U.S. and non-U.S. persons to avail themselves of the authorizations, exemptions and public guidance that Treasury issued regarding the provision of (i) basic agricultural commodities, (ii) humanitarian aid and other assistance by NGOs, (iii) medical assistance and (iv) services to support the flow of information.

OFAC detailed the numerous general licenses and other exemptions that authorize various efforts to support impacted persons. These include:

• the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions, under which general licenses have authorized personal remittances, maintenance of U.S. persons in Russia, humanitarian assistance, agricultural and medical trade, technological trade to support telecommunications and internet-based communications, and educational assistance; and

• the Ukraine-/Russia-related Sanctions Program, under which general licenses have authorized individuals in Crimea, DNR, and LNR to operate personal U.S. bank accounts and engage in telecommunications, internet-based communications and journalistic activities that are ordinary and incident to individuals' activities.

OFAC stated that it is committed to supporting all impacted persons, specifically in Ukraine and Russia, and it encourages these individuals to avail themselves of the authorizations set out in its publications.