The US Treasury Department placed Wagner Group, the Russian mercenary company, and several of its affiliates on a blacklist. The move comes as the mercenary force helps the Kremlin capture key cities in eastern Ukraine.
The Treasury stated the sanctions would “degrade the Russian Federation’s capacity to wage war against Ukraine.” Eight individuals and 16 entities, as well as four aircraft were placed on a blacklist. Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen said, “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.”