Russia expands sanctions against Ukraine

By Elena Teslova </p> <p>MOSCOW (AA) – Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday signed a decree on imposing sanctions against 245 Ukrainian individuals and 8 entities. </p> <p>According to a government statement, the decision is made &quot;to counter Ukraine’s unfriendly actions towards Russian citizens and legal entities.”</p> <p>Ukrainian defense companies Ukroboronprom and Ukrspetsexport, as well as energy company Tsentrenergo and the State Export-Import Bank of Ukraine, are among the companies included in the sanction list. </p> <p>In addition, Ukraine's first deputy interior minister and several lawmakers are also included in the list.</p> <p>Special economic measures include the blocking (freezing) of the sanctioned ones’ bank accounts, uncertificated securities and property in Russia and a ban on the transfer of money from Russia. </p> <p>The sanction list currently comprises of 567 individuals and 75 entities.</p> <p>Russia and Ukraine have been at loggerheads since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea after a controversial referendum.</p> <p>Turkey, as well as the UN General Assembly, view the annexation as illegal.