US sanctions 7 Crimean officials, railroad company, CEO

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The U.S. sanctioned eight Crimean officials Wednesday, including the Russia-backed prime minister of the occupied region, as well as a railroad company for operating between Russia and the Ukrainian territory.

The eight include Yuri Gotsanyuk, who has been acting prime minister since September 2019; Mikhail Razvozhaev, acting governor of Sevastopol; Vladimir Nemtsev, the chairman of Crimea's legislature; three officials with the Sevastopol Election Commission; and Ekaterina Altabaeva, federal representatives of Sevastopol in the upper chamber of Russia's legislative body.

Alexander Ganov, the chief executive of Grand Service Express, the blacklisted railroad company, was also designated by the Treasury Department.

Seven of the individuals were sanctioned Tuesday by the European Union, and Canada separately designated all eight, the department said in a statement.

"Treasury’s action, taken in close coordination with our international allies and partners, reiterates our unwavering support for restoring free and fair democratic political processes in Crimea," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said. "The coordinated U.S., EU, and Canadian designations limit the ability of these illegitimate officials to do business internationally and highlights the strength of the transatlantic alliance in standing up to Russia’s continued aggression."

Russia and Ukraine have been at loggerheads since 2014 when Russia annexed the Crimea Peninsula following a controversial referendum that has never recognized by the international community. The UN views Moscow's actions as illegal under international law.

Ukraine has separately blamed the Kremlin for separatist violence in the east of the country near its border with Russia.