US introduces sanctions to Russian officials for cyber-attacks

The US Department of Treasury imposed sanctions on 19 Russian individuals and five Russian entities including Russian intelligence services for alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election and the attacks on powergrid. Amongst those affected by these sanctions are officials working for the Russian military intelligence agency GRU, Internet Research Agency, FSB, and six of FSB’s employees for cyberattacks more broadly. The sanctions freeze any assets the individuals and entities may have in the United States and bars American citizens from doing business with them. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that Moscow was preparing retaliatory measures – it will expand its “black list” of Americans. Ryabkov added that Russia did not rule out extra measures in response to these sanctions.