In a statement, the Treasury Department justified that this action is part of the United States of America's (USA) objectives to "disrupt and expose arms transfers" between the two countries, which include ballistic missiles for use by Russian forces in the conflict in Ukraine.

"The United States will continue to take action to hold accountable those who seek to facilitate the transfer of weapons and other material to fuel Russia's war [in Ukraine]," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson, quoted in the statement.

According to the US government, Russia and North Korea have strengthened their cooperation in the defense sector over the past year, through the supply of North Korean ammunition and ballistic missiles in exchange for military assistance from Moscow.

The measures released today target individuals and companies that facilitate military cooperation between the two countries, explains the same statement, which adds that those targeted "are attempting to evade sanctions by using front companies to ship military equipment to support Russia's illegal aggression against Ukraine".

In March 2023, US authorities had already targeted Ashot Mkrtychev for trying to facilitate arms deals between Russia and North Korea, and five months later added three companies for links to the Russian citizen's sanctions evasion network.

However, "Mkrtychev and his associates have continued to facilitate the shipment of military equipment" from Korea to Russia, the Treasury Department said.

Another Russian citizen mentioned is Aleksey Budnev, who is accused of facilitating, in March 2023, the shipment to Russia of military communications equipment likely originating in North Korea.

Budnev, according to the Treasury Department, is the sole owner of Russia-based Tekhnologiya, one of three entities sanctioned today, along with Trans Kapital and Rafort.

The latter is owned by Rafael Anatolyevich Gazaryan, who was sanctioned in 2023 for working with Mkrtychev on the same type of transactions, with several examples being mentioned, including deals to acquire mortars and aviation components.

As a result of the sanctions announced today, the targets' access to all property and interests that they own or control in the United States and to conduct transactions with the country is blocked.

"In addition, financial institutions and other persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with the sanctioned entities and individuals may expose themselves to sanctions or be subject to an enforcement action," the Treasury Department warned.

In a statement released about these sanctions, the US State Department notes that Russia has already used more than 40 ballistic missiles produced by North Korea against Ukraine, as well as ammunition, which Moscow imported "in direct violation of UN Security Council resolutions".

For US diplomacy, the deepening of relations between the two countries represents "a comprehensive threat to global security", regretting Moscow's veto of the UN Security Council resolution to extend the mandate of the panel of experts that documented violations of international sanctions imposed on North Korea.

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