US Targets Russia’s Technology Sector in Latest Sanctions

Sanctions don't appear to be hurting Putin as his approval ratings are up

On Thursday, the US imposed new sanctions on Russia that target the country’s technology sector and a network of companies Washington says is working to evade Western sanctions.

The Treasury Department said the sanctions targeted 21 entities and 13 individuals, including Mikron, Russia’s largest microchip manufacturer and exporter of electronics.

The Biden administration also determined that sanctions apply to Russia’s aerospace, marine, and electronics sectors. The determination means that any person or entity operating in those sectors could be hit by US sanctions.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, the US and its allies have imposed a series of harsh sanctions on Russia. The measures have done nothing to stop the fighting and don’t appear to be hurting Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A recent poll found that Putin’s approval rating has risen to 83% since the invasion started, up from 71% in February. The ruble is also recovering from the initial hit that it took when the US started imposing sanctions, and the Russian currency is back up to its pre-invasion value.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.