U.S. Implements ‘Sweeping’ Restrictions On Exports To Russia

On Friday, the U.S. Commerce Department announced that it would be “implementing a sweeping series of stringent export controls” targeting Russia’s defense, aerospace, and maritime sectors in response to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

“The export control measures announced today are the most comprehensive application of Commerce’s export authorities on U.S. items, including technology, as well as on foreign items produced using U.S. equipment, software, and blueprints, targeting a single nation. These actions, in concert with those that our partners are taking, restrict Russia’s access to items that can support the country’s defense industrial base and military and intelligence services,” the Commerce Department said in a statement.

“Russia’s actions are an immediate danger to those living in Ukraine, but also pose a real threat to democracy throughout the world,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “By acting decisively and in close coordination with our allies and partners, we are sending a clear message today that the United States of America will not tolerate Russia’s aggression against a democratically-elected government. The Commerce Department, along with our partners internationally and across the Biden-Harris Administration, will continue to use every tool at our disposal to restrict products, software, and technology that support Russia’s military capabilities.”

“Russia’s attack on Ukraine is an attack on the democratic, rules-based order and the United States must meet this aggression with real consequences,” said Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves. “This coordinated policy is a strong statement of solidarity from the United States and the international community with the people of Ukraine. This powerful response was developed in close consultation with our global allies and partners to cut the Russian military off from the technologies and products it needs to sustain its unprovoked and unacceptable aggression.”

The United States has reportedly already identified at least 100 aircraft that have violated export controls in recent weeks, and their “owners, operators and servicers were at risk of substantial jail time, fines, loss of export privileges or other restrictions,” according to The New York Times.

“Since March 2, the department identified a number of commercial and private flights to Russia that most likely violated the restrictions, including on aircraft owned or operated by Aeroflot, AirBridgeCargo, Aviastar-TU, Azur Air, Nordwind, Utair and Roman Abramovich, a Russian billionaire with ties to President Vladimir V. Putin, according to the announcement. Most of the planes were made by Boeing,” The Times added.