OFAC Goes After Russian "Facilitation Network"; Designates Individuals and Entities for Sanctions

OFAC designated 25 individuals and 29 entities based in 20 jurisdictions participating in a network that facilitated the importation of critical technologies used in Russia's war against Ukraine.

In the action, coordinated with the United Kingdom, OFAC stated that the newly blocked individuals and entities are connected to Alisher Burhanovich Usmanov, a Russian oligarch who is designated under E.O. 14024 ("Blocking Property With Respect To Specified Harmful Foreign Activities of the Government of the Russian Federation"). OFAC said that Mr. Usmanov is also closely tied to other blocked persons, including senior Russian officials and Russian President Vladimir Putin. OFAC revoked General License 15 which had previously authorized transactions with any entity that is "owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more" by Mr. Usmanov.

OFAC also designated several entities associated with either the defense sector of the Russian federal economy or Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation, or that support the war against Ukraine.