Putin's Partner Kabaeva Named Head of State Media National Media
Russia's Largest Steel Company, 893 Including Federal Lawmakers and Soldiers Also Sanctioned
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The U.S. government announced that it has added close associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin, including Alina Kabaeva, a former Russian national rhythmic gymnastics athlete known to be Putin's partner, to the sanctions list. As the war in Ukraine prolongs, the level of U.S. sanctions targeting Putin's closest aides is expected to continue escalating.
On the 2nd (local time), the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that it would add Kabaeva to the sanctions list related to the invasion of Ukraine. Consequently, Kabaeva's visa has been frozen, and other assets are also subject to sanctions. Kabaeva, who once served as a member of the Russian State Duma, is known to have maintained a long-term relationship with President Putin, although Putin has denied the relationship.
The reason Kabaeva was added to the sanctions list is believed to be because she heads the National Media Group, a state-owned media outlet that leads the glorification and promotion of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The National Media Group, led by Kabaeva, owns various media platforms including TV broadcasting, radio, and print media. The UK government also placed Kabaeva on its sanctions list in May, and the European Union (EU) imposed travel and asset sanctions against her in June.
Along with Kabaeva, the U.S. Treasury added executives of major Russian corporations classified as Putin's close associates to the sanctions list. Viktor Filipovich Rashnikov, chairman of the board and major shareholder of Russia's MMK, the world's largest steel producer, was also added to the sanctions list. Two subsidiaries of MMK, based in Russia and Turkey, were included as well. MMK is one of Russia's largest taxpayers and provides significant revenue to the Russian government, which led to its inclusion on the sanctions list, according to the U.S. Treasury.
Additionally, Andrey Guriev, founder of the Russian fertilizer company PhosAgro and a former Russian government official, along with his son, were added to the sanctions list as close associates of President Putin. The Cayman Islands-registered yacht "Alpha Nero," owned by Guriev, was also sanctioned. Guriev reportedly purchased the yacht in 2014 for $120 million.
Furthermore, the U.S. State Department announced that it would freeze the visas of 893 members of the Russian Federal Assembly and military personnel accused of threatening or violating Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen emphasized, "We will use every tool at our disposal to hold Kremlin enablers accountable for their involvement in a war that has taken countless lives," adding, "The United States, together with its allies, will continue to tighten the chokehold on the income and equipment that support Russia's unjustified war."
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