On Thursday, the US implemented extensive new actions against Moscow for their involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. These actions specifically focus on limiting Russia’s potential for energy production, preventing sanctions avoidance, and addressing the threat of a suicide drone that has been causing harm to Ukrainian military personnel and equipment. These measures also include sanctions against numerous individuals and organizations.

According to a statement from the State Department, the most recent actions are aimed at a significant organization responsible for managing, running, and possessing a large-scale endeavor in Siberia called Arctic-2 LNG. This venture intends to transport cooled natural gas, also known as liquefied natural gas, to various markets around the world.

The US government focused on stopping the KUB-BLA and Lancet suicide drones, which were being utilized by the Russian military in Ukraine. They identified a group responsible for obtaining materials to create these drones, as well as the individual who designed and built them.

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Commerce included 13 entities from Russia and Uzbekistan to its list of controlled exports for violating U.S. national security or foreign policy goals.

The United States has taken action against the violation of sanctions in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and China. The Treasury Department has reported that companies in these countries are still sending dual-use goods to Russia, which includes crucial components for their weapons.

The US Treasury Department has placed sanctions on seven banks and numerous industrial companies in Russia. These include Gazpromneft Catalytic Systems LLC, which produces chemical substances used in advanced oil refining within Russia.

On Thursday, the Kremlin stated that it anticipated increased sanctions from the West in response to the war. However, there is a growing belief that these punishments ultimately harm Western interests, while Russia’s economy remains resilient.

With the sanctions on limited liability company Arctic LNG 2, along with previous measures imposed on the project in September, the U.S. is trying to target Russia’s upcoming energy production, similar to how it targeted its future deep-sea, shale and Arctic oil production after Moscow’s invasion of Crimea in 2014. All of these hard-to-produce projects depend on Western technology.

The United States, being a significant producer of liquefied natural gas that is exported to Europe, is also attempting to decrease the amount of LNG that Russia sends to Europe. Currently, Europe has only prohibited Russian gas that is transported through pipelines.

There is an anticipated launch of exports for Arctic LNG 2, but it is unknown how much Russian LNG will be affected by the new regulations. Novatek NVTK.MM, the biggest Russian LNG producer, announced in September that they plan to begin shipments from Arctic LNG 2 in the beginning of next year.

On Thursday, the US government took action specifically against the Lancet drone, which has been identified as a growing danger on the frontlines in Ukraine by Ukrainian soldiers. The drone is described as an angular gray tube with two sets of four wings.

The US government focused on ZALA Aero, a company based in Russia that was identified by the State Department as producing, designing, and selling loitering munitions and suicide drones to the Russian military. They also targeted A Level Aerosystems CST, a Russian company that manufactures and sells drones under the ZALA brand.

Aleksandr Zakharov, the proprietor of the companies, and his family members, including his wife, daughter, and sons, as well as their owned companies, were all singled out for targeting. According to the State Department, Zakharov is responsible for inventing and designing the drones.

The United States has increased its efforts to persuade countries and private businesses around the world to enforce the multiple sanctions it has imposed on Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.

On Thursday, companies from Turkey and the UAE were named, including those that have supplied urgent goods to Russia and those that have transported aviation parts and equipment.

Three Chinese organizations were aimed at by the Treasury. These groups have been responsible for numerous shipments of electro-optical equipment, cameras, and other items. One of the organizations has also transported radar components to firms based in Russia.

The Department of State has also enforced penalties on numerous entities involved in defense and procurement in the UAE.

Sanctions were also imposed on construction companies, Russian officials, and a metals and mining company involved in a project to exploit the world’s largest titanium ore deposit in Russia.

Source: voanews.com