The USA sharply toughens sanctions against Russia: Vnesheconombank, Gazprombank, Rosneft and a number of giants of Russian military industrial sector are in the firing line

Washington has announced the introduction of new santions - the most severe since the conflict around the Ukraine began - sanctions against Russian individuals and entities. This time the sanctions list includes deputies, senior officials and the security forces, as well as a number of major companies, including Vnesheconombank, Gazprombank, Rosneft, Almaz-Antey and Kalashnikov. The Russian Foreign Ministry called Washington's actions "outrageous".

The new sanctions list was published on the night of July 17th, on the website of the U.S. Ministry of Finance. The document says that is now entrance to the country is banned for following citizens of the Russian Federation: the vice-speaker of the State Duma, Sergei Neverov, the Minister for Crimea, Oleg Savelyev, presidential aide, Igor Shchegolev, FSB Colonel-General, Sergei Beseda, as well as one of the leaders of proclaimed Donetsk people's republic Alexander Boroday. If their assets in the U.S. territory are found, they will be frozen.