US has increased sanctions against Russia, focusing on banks and Putin’s children

After Washington and Kyiv accused Moscow of committing war crimes in Ukraine, the US imposed fresh sanctions on Russian banks and elites on Wednesday, including a prohibition on any American from investing in Russia

After Washington and Kyiv accused Moscow of committing war crimes in Ukraine, the US imposed fresh sanctions on Russian banks and elites on Wednesday, including a prohibition on any American from investing in Russia.

According to a senior US official, the new penalties will place complete blocking sanctions on Russia’s Sberbank SBER.MM, which controls one-third of Russia’s total banking assets, and Alfabank. These prohibitions prevent energy transfers, according to the official.

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Sanctions are also being imposed on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s adult daughters, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s wife and daughter, and members of Russia’s security council. According to the official, Americans are prohibited from investing in Russia, even through venture capital and mergers.

According to the person, the US is “dramatically amplifying” the financial shock on Russia by shutting off the country’s main banks. According to the source, Russians may be compelled to return to Soviet-style living standards from the 1980s.

On Wednesday, the US Justice Department announced fresh enforcement operations aimed at disrupting and prosecuting unlawful Russian behaviour.

Images of a mass grave and dead shot at close range have emerged from the Ukrainian city of Bucha, triggering calls for stronger sanctions against Moscow and an international investigation.

The executions, according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, were part of a planned Russian campaign of atrocities. Russia, which claims to have initiated a “special military operation” in Ukraine on February 24, denies targeting civilians and claims that the killings were faked by the West. Neither produced evidence to back up their claims.

On Wednesday, a top French official predicted that the European Union would impose further measures.