Australia imposes new sanctions on 67 Russian individuals News
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Australia imposes new sanctions on 67 Russian individuals

Australia Thursday imposed additional financial sanctions and travel bans on 67 Russian individuals for their support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. With the additional sanctions in place, Australia has now sanctioned nearly 600 individuals and entities related to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Australia announced the new sanctions in response to the emergence of evidence of war crimes committed by Russia in Ukrainian towns surrounding Kyiv, including Bucha. The very same evidence also prompted Australian allies, including Canada and the US, to impose fresh rounds of sanctions earlier this week. In addition to sanctions, Russia was also suspended from the UN Human Rights Council following a vote in the UN General Assembly. The UN cited concerns of “gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights” and “violations of international humanitarian law” against Ukraine.

The new Australian sanctions include several senior Russian government and military officials. Among them is the military official who coordinated the bombing of civilians in Mariupol Colonel-General Mikhail Mizintsev, who has been described as the “Butcher of Mariupol.” Government officials such as Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko, Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma, Aleksander Babakov are also included in the new sanctions.

The sanctions also target Ukrainian individuals who have aided Russia from within Ukraine. Galina Danilchenko is sanctioned for her role as the Kremlin-installed mayor of Melitopol, Ukraine. Oleg Voloshyn, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament, was also sanctioned for his cooperation with Russia’s plan to undermine the Ukrainian government.

A statement from Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne read: “The Australian Government is committed to imposing the highest costs on those who bear responsibility for Russia’s aggression in Ukraine or hold levers of power. The Australian Government reiterates our strongest support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and for the people of Ukraine.”