Russia-Ukraine war: US seize properties of sanctioned Russian oligarch, charges Russian national

Russia’s war in Ukraine has resulted in an unprecedented number of sanctions against Moscow more than a year since the invasion. United States prosecutors said last week that they are looking to seize properties that belong to a sanctioned Russian oligarch while charging another Russian national for illegally exporting counterintelligence equipment.

On Friday last week, marking the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Justice Department’s prosecutors announced that it was looking to seize properties in New York and Florida that allegedly belong to a sanctioned Russian oligarch. The prosecutors filed civil forfeiture complaints against the properties that are collectively worth $75 million that are owned by oligarch Viktor Vekselberg, who was sanctioned by Washington in 2018 over the alleged interference in the 2016 elections and in 2022 for his ties to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

“For as long as it takes, the Department of Justice will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Ukrainian and international partners in defense of justice and the rule of law,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland in a statement.

Last year, the FBI and Homeland Security agents searched two of the properties, an apartment on Park Avenue in Manhattan and an estate in Southampton.

The US Attorney’s office in Brooklyn also said it has charged a Russian national, Ilya Balakaev, with exporting US equipment to the Russian intelligence agency as well as a North Korean government official breaching US sanctions.

On the same day, Washington also announced around $10 billion of additional assistance to Ukraine, including $250 million in assistance for the country’s energy infrastructure amidst continued Russian bombardments. Reuters reported that Washington also plans to provide $300 million in assistance to the neighboring country of Moldova in an effort to help Chisinau lessen its energy dependence on Russia.

“These funds will help keep schools open, power generators for hospitals running, and keep homes and shelters across Ukraine warm,” said Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding the funds for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

“These funds are crucial to Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia and ensures the Ukrainian government can continue to meet the critical needs of its citizens including healthcare, education, and emergency services,” said Blinken.