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Russia Expands Economic Sanctions on Ukraine

by Agence France-Presse

   MOSCOW --

   Russia on Tuesday expanded its economic sanctions on Ukraine, adding
   more than 250 people and businesses to a blacklist first announced at
   the start of November.

   According to a decree by Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev, 245
   individuals and seven companies, mostly in the energy and defense
   sectors, were sanctioned by Moscow.

   Relations between Moscow and Kiev have deteriorated since a pro-Western
   government came to power after the 2014 revolt against a pro-Russian
   leader, Moscow's annexation of the Crimea and the outbreak of war in
   eastern Ukraine.

   A total of 567 individuals and 75 Ukranian companies now face Russian
   economic sanctions, which put a freeze on any assets they have in
   Russia.

   On his Twitter account, Medvedev said the sanctions were "to defend the
   interests of the Russian government, businesses and people."

   Tensions between the two neighbors have worsened since November when
   Russia's coastguard captured three Ukrainian naval vessels and their
   crews off the Crimean coast.

   Among those sanctioned on Tuesday were Ukrainian defense, energy,
   insurance and logistics companies as well as Odessa's mayor and other
   high-ranking Ukraine officials.

   Since the outbreak of the Ukraine war, Kiev has taken a series of
   measures against Russian interests, including blocking Russian internet
   services and social media.

   The conflict pitting pro-Russian separatists against Ukrainian
   government forces is estimated to have claimed more than 10,000 lives
   -- one third of them civilian -- since it broke out four years ago.