In a statement, the Treasury Department explains that this action is part of the objectives of the United States of America (USA) to “disrupt and expose arms transfers” between the two countries, which include ballistic missiles for use by Russian forces in the conflict. in Ukraine.
“The United States will continue to take action to hold accountable those who seek to facilitate the shipment of weapons and other material to enable Russia to wage war [in Ukraine],” said Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. mentioned in the statement.
According to the US Government, Russia and North Korea reinforced their cooperation in the defense sector over the past year, through the supply of North Korean ammunition and ballistic missiles in exchange for military assistance from Moscow.
The measures released today target individuals and companies that facilitate military cooperation between the two countries, explains the same statement, which adds that those targeted “attempt to evade sanctions by using front companies to transport military equipment to support Russia’s illegal aggression against Ukraine”.
In March 2023, US authorities had already targeted Ashot Mkrtychev for trying to facilitate arms deals between Russia and North Korea, and, five months later, added three companies for links to the citizen sanctions evasion network Russian.
However, “Mkrtychev and his associates continued to facilitate the shipment of military equipment” from Korea to Russia, the Treasury Department said.
Another Russian citizen mentioned is Aleksey Budnev, who is credited with facilitating, in March 2023, the sending of military communications equipment to Russia with likely origins in North Korea.
Budnev, according to the Treasury Department, is the sole owner of Russia-based Tekhnologiya, one of three entities sanctioned today, along with Trans Kapital and Rafort.
The latter is owned by Rafael Anatolyevich Gazaryan, already sanctioned throughout 2023, for working with Mkrtychev in the same type of transactions, with several examples being mentioned, including deals for the acquisition of mortars and aviation components.
As a result of the sanctions announced today, those targeted are blocked from accessing all assets and interests they own or control in the United States and from carrying out transactions with the country.
“Additionally, financial institutions and other persons who engage in certain transactions or activities with sanctioned entities and individuals may expose themselves to sanctions or be subject to enforcement action,” the Treasury Department warned.
In a statement released regarding these sanctions, the US State Department notes that Russia has already used more than 40 ballistic missiles produced by North Korea against Ukraine, as well as ammunition, which Moscow imported “in direct violation of Council resolutions of UN Security”.
For North American diplomacy, the deepening of relations between the two countries represents “a comprehensive threat to global security”, regretting Moscow’s veto of the UN Security Council resolution to extend the mandate of the panel of experts that documented the violations of international sanctions imposed on North Korea.
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