The US has lifted sanctions from Karina Rotenberg — the wife of Russian oligarch Boris Rotenberg, who is close to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The relevant decision is published on the website of the US Department of Treasury.
At the same time, the US expanded the sanctions list related to Russia, adding four individuals: Yuriy Belyakov, Ushang Gayrat, Sohrab Gayrat, and Hassan Jafari.
The restrictions also affected the companies «Edison», «Kolibri Group», «Sky Frame» and the vessel AM Theseus.
According to the Russian opposition publication «Important Stories», the legal and physical entities caught up in the sanctions are connected with the export of grain from the captured territories of Ukraine for the benefit of Yemeni Houthis. They likely collaborated with Sa’id al-Jamal — an Iranian financier leading a network of shell companies and vessels working with the Houthis.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, Yuriy Belyakov and Vyacheslav Vidanov are captains of the vessel Zafar, which participated in the transportation of Ukrainian grain.
Among other individuals affected by the sanctions:
Ushang Gayrat — a graduate of the Financial Academy under the Government of the Russian Federation
Sohrab Gayrat — a graduate of MGIMO
Iranian Hassan Jafari
Companies «Sky Frame» and «Kolibri Group» associated with them
The new sanctions are aimed at restricting illegal schemes of exporting Ukrainian grain, which finance the Houthis and other terrorist groups.