“Our message to any company that is considering providing support to Wagner is simply this, Wagner is a criminal organization that is continuing widespread atrocities and human rights abuses,” Kirby added.
Kirby also slammed North Korean weapon deliveries to Russia used by Wagner, including infantry rockets and missiles.
Thursday’s sanctions on six individuals and 12 entities also target “the infrastructure that supports battlefield operations in Ukraine, including producers of Russia’s weapons and those administering Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine.”
Treasury sanctioned Rustam Nurgaliyevich Minnikhanov, the Russian chairman of the already-sanctioned Tupolev Public Joint Stock Company, for his work in supporting Moscow’s aerospace sector. His wife, Gulsina Akhatovna Minnikhanova was also designated for accepting bribes.
Additionally, Treasury is imposing sanctions on multiple entities and individuals involved in the paramilitary group’s colossal global network.
Joint Stock Company Terra Tech, a Russian-based technology firm, for providing space and aerial imagery to the Wagner Group. Treasury also identified China’s Changsha Tianyi Space Science and Technology Research Institute and its subsidiary Spacety Luxembourg for providing radar satellite imagery over Ukrainian locations. In addition, Treasury took action against Joint Stock Company Research and Production, a Russian space company supporting Russia’s military activities in Ukraine.
“As sanctions and export controls on Russia form our international coalition continue to bite, the Kremlin is desperately searching for arms and support — including through the brutal Wagner Group,” Treasury Secretary Yellen wrote in a statement announcing the measures.
“Today’s expanded sanctions on Wagner, as well as new sanctions on their associates and other companies enabling the Russian military complex, will further impede Putin’s ability to arm and equip his war machine,” she added.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
Article source: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/26/treasury-imposes-sanctions-against-russian-paramilitary-firm-wagner-group.html