The US is preparing a blow to the Russian Federation’s economy.
According to Bloomberg, Treasury and Justice Department officials will focus on efforts to legally liquidate the property of Russian oligarchs, expand financial sanctions for those who facilitate sanction evasion, and close loopholes that allow oligarchs to use front companies to utilize the US financial system. The head of the US Task Force KleptoCapture says the group focuses on identifying those who help Russians evade sanctions. According to the US Treasury, more than $58B in assets belonging to sanctioned Russians are currently blocked or frozen globally. According to a Dartmouth University study, the prosecution of several key capital managers will cause much more damage to Russia than individual sanctions against oligarchs. Moreover, funds obtained through the liquidation of yachts and other assets belonging to Russian oligarchs and the Kremlin will be transferred to Ukraine.