US Imposes New Sanctions On Russia, Technology Companies Become Special Targets

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, imposes new sanctions on Russia. (photo: twitter @SecYellen)

JAKARTA - The United States on Thursday, March 31, imposed new sanctions against Russia. The new sanctions target the technology sector, sanctions evasion networks and what he calls "bad cyber actors". The US also remains open to the possibility of acting on additional sectors in response to President Vladimir Putin's attacks on Ukraine, since February 24.

"We will continue to target Putin's war machine with sanctions from every angle, until this senseless war ends," US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement.

The US Treasury has already imposed sanctions on 21 entities and 13 people, including the Micron Joint Stock Company, Russia's largest chipmaker and manufacturer and exporter of microelectronics.

Washington also determined that three new sectors in the Russian economy are subject to sanctions under the existing executive order, which allows the United States to impose punitive action on any person or entity operating in the aerospace, marine and electronics sectors.

US action Thursday, March 31 that freezes the assets of targeted parties and generally prohibits Americans from dealing with them.

Those targeted include Serniya Engineering and the Moscow-based equipment maker Sertal. Both were accused by the US Treasury of working to illegally procuring equipment and technology for Russia's defense sector that could be multiplied for civilian use.

The Treasury Department also imposed sanctions on the two companies along with other companies and individuals, accusing them of being part of a sanctions evasion network.

The Russian embassies in Washington and Micron did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the move. Serniya and Sertal could not immediately be reached for comment.

Washington has imposed sanctions several times over the five weeks since Russia launched its biggest attack on a European nation since World War Two.

"Western countries will try to find new reasons to impose sanctions on Russia," Putin said on Thursday. He added that his country should be able to keep jobs and create new ones.