Four Indian firms sanctioned by US for aiding Russia's war efforts
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The United States imposed sanctions on four Indian companies as part of a broader initiative targeting nearly 400 entities and individuals accused of supporting Russia's military operations in Ukraine.
The US Department of State announced the sanctions on Thursday, stating that these actions aimed to "disrupt support for Russia’s military-industrial base" and limit the Kremlin’s access to the international financial system amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Since Russia commenced its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the conflict has escalated into the deadliest confrontation in Europe since World War II. In response, Washington has consistently urged nations to refrain from supplying Russia with advanced equipment, particularly Common High Priority Items like microelectronics, which are believed to be instrumental in the war effort.
Among the sanctioned firms, Ascend Aviation India Private Limited and Mask Trans are alleged to have supplied aircraft components to Russia. The US Department of State claimed that Ascend Aviation facilitated over 700 shipments to Russia-based companies from March 2023 to March 2024.
Meanwhile, Mask Trans is accused of supplying items valued at over $300,000 (approximately Rs 2.5 crore) to Russian company S7 Engineering LLC from June 2023 through at least April 2024.
The US also sanctioned two other Indian firms, TSMD Global Private Limited and Futrevo, for their purported roles in Russia’s technology sector. Specifically, a Russia-based wholesaler, Limited Liability Company Elektron Komponent, was identified as having received electronic components from TSMD Global, which the US deems high risk for potential military application.
Furthermore, Futrevo was implicated in supplying more than $1.4 million (around Rs 11.7 crore) worth of electronic components to Limited Liability Company SMT-ILOGIC, a firm that manufactures drones for the Russian military. The sanctions also extend to companies in several other countries, including China, Malaysia, Turkiye, and the United Arab Emirates.
