The U.S. is implementing fresh accusations and measures to hinder what American officials refer to as the “Russian military force”, shortly before the two-year anniversary of Moscow’s encroachment on Ukraine.

On Thursday, the Justice Department reported advancements in five distinct legal cases involving prominent Russian oligarchs and their financial affiliates. This includes the detention of two facilitators based in the United States and a confession of guilt for money laundering.

Furthermore, the United States took action to confiscate luxury condos valued at $2.5 million in Miami, Florida as part of a civil forfeiture case against Russian billionaire Viktor Perevalov.

Although it may not produce immediate effects, the recent measures taken against oligarchs and individuals connected to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, such as new charges, have a clear message for Ukraine according to officials.

Michael Khoo, co-director of the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, stated that they will take any and all actions, both significant and minor, to demonstrate their support for those who resist Russian aggression and protect their country.

Khoo mentioned that there is a message directed towards the Kremlin as well.

Khoo assured reporters that their presence would remain consistent, stating, “We have the capability to persevere for the long term.”

He stated that we plan to keep taking similar actions as long as Russia continues to show aggression towards Ukraine and engages in harmful behavior globally.

One of the individuals accused on Thursday is Andrey Kostin, the Chief Executive Officer of VTB Bank, a government-owned bank in Russia.

The officials at the U.S. Department of Justice claim that Kostin, who had previously faced sanctions in 2018, attempted to avoid the sanctions and engage in money laundering to fund two super yachts worth over $135 million.

The individual, who is 67 years old, named Kostin, is also accused of attempting to avoid sanctions related to a high-end property he possesses in Aspen, Colorado.

Authorities stated that Kostin’s partners in the second plan, Vadim Wolfson (56 years old) and Gannon Bond (49 years old), were apprehended in the U.S. on Thursday morning. Wolfson is a lawful permanent resident of Austin, Texas, while Bond is a U.S. citizen originally from New Jersey.

If found guilty, all three individuals could potentially face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

In a different instance, the United States accused Sergey Kurchenko, a Ukrainian oligarch with ties to Russia, of participating in a long-term plan to bypass sanctions and illegally sell $330 million worth of metal goods, some of which were made in the Donbas area of Ukraine, to an American company.

On Thursday, the Department of Justice announced additional accusations of bank fraud against Vladislav Osipov, a 52-year-old Russian citizen residing in Switzerland. He has been charged with aiding Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg, who is under sanctions, in running a high-end yacht that was eventually confiscated by U.S. authorities.

The Justice Department announced that Feliks Medvedev, a 42-year-old Russian resident of Georgia, admitted to illegally making over 1,300 financial transfers using shell companies in order to conceal more than $150 million.

In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Justice Department established Task Force Kleptocapture in March 2022 to combat corrupt Russian oligarchs. By early 2023, the task force shifted its focus towards individuals who assist or facilitate Russian oligarchs in their attempts to enter Western markets and financial systems.

Over the course of the last year, the task force has filed charges against over 70 individuals and multiple corporate entities.

Moreover, the team took action to limit or confiscate assets valued at approximately $700 million.

Sent money to support Ukraine

Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice transferred approximately $500,000 in confiscated Russian funds to Estonia in order to support Ukraine. Furthermore, last year the U.S. also transferred an additional $5.4 million in confiscated Russian funds to Kyiv through the State Department.

David Lim, co-director of Task Force KleptoCapture, stated that the funds provided are inadequate for Ukraine’s reconstruction.

“What it does emphasize is the department’s dedication to exploring all possible options for transferring forfeited assets to Ukraine,” he stated. “We are collaborating with Congress to broaden that power. However, in the interim, we will not remain idle. We will seek out alternative methods for delivering forfeited funds to Ukraine.”

More experienced American officials are hopeful that the efforts of the task force are making a difference.

“Even small contributions have an impact,” stated a high-ranking FBI representative in a press briefing on Thursday. The official requested anonymity in accordance with guidelines set by the US Department of Justice.

According to the FBI official, Russia will be affected and has already been affected in ways that may not be immediately apparent.

According to the official, even Russian oligarchs and facilitators who have not been arrested will feel uneasy no matter where they travel outside of Russia.

“They are aware that our tentacles will allow us to have them arrested by the host country.”

Source: voanews.com