The United States imposed sanctions against 300 companies and individuals from Russia and other countries at once

The United States on Wednesday added more than 300 Russian companies and individuals to its sanctions lists, including the Moscow Exchange, as well as their firms and partners in China, Hong Kong, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and other countries.

It is noted that the US Treasury Department and the US State Department announced new sanctions on the eve of the G7 summit to be held this week in Italy.

The new sanctions are aimed primarily at those involved in attempts to circumvent the sanctions restrictions on the supply of high-tech goods that have already been imposed on Russia for waging war against Ukraine.

"Today's moves hit their (Russians' – ed.) existing routes for importing foreign materials and devices, and critical supplies from third countries," US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said.

"We are increasing the risk associated with dealing with Russia's military economy for financial institutions, eliminating ways to circumvent [sanctions], and reducing Russia's access to foreign technology, equipment, software, and IT services," the Treasury Department's press service quoted her as saying.

The U.S. sanctions targeted 90 companies and individuals from China, Hong Kong, Turkey, the UAE, South Africa and other countries, which, according to the Americans, are involved in the supply of semiconductors and other high-tech products to the Russian military industry.

In particular, legal entities against which sanctions have been imposed:

Russian energy and military-industrial companies;

- Russian financial companies;

- foreign banks that cooperated with Russia;

- Chinese companies that supplied dual-use goods to Russia;

- Belarusian companies that support the Russian military-industrial complex;

- Russians responsible for the forced deportation of Ukrainian children.

Many services for Russia related to IT and cloud services also fell under the US ban.

Following the imposition of sanctions, the Moscow Exchange announced that it will stop trading in dollars and euros starting tomorrow. Now it will be even more difficult to buy currency legally. That is, it is possible, but now for a completely different fee, and not in Russia.

In addition, sanctions have been announced against all banks that have settlements with one of Russia's largest banks, Sberbank.

Experts call this "a really strong blow to the Russian financial system".

In addition, the sanctions list includes three Russian liquefied natural gas projects, which the US expects will be a new blow to Russia's export revenues.

Background. Earlier, Reuters reported that the US may impose sanctions on Chinese banks for supporting Russia.