The Russian Connection: Treasury Blacklists Russians Supporting North Korean Nuke Program

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By Russ Read

The U.S. officially sanctioned two Russian firms Thursday for their connections to North Korea’s weapons program.

The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated AO NNK-Primornefteproduct, Ardis-Bearings, LLC and Igor Michurin, effectively freezing their U.S. assets and forbidding U.S. persons to do business with them. Treasury’s move is the most recent in the U.S. effort to clamp down on North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.

Michurin is a director at Ardis-Bearings, a logistical supply company based in Moscow. He and his company are believed to have supplied North Korea’s missile and nuclear weapons programs. Michurin is also believed to be connected to Korea Tangun Trading Corporation, a known supplier of North Korea’s defense research and development programs.

Primornefteproduct is linked to Independent Petroleum Company, a Russian energy provider with several subsidiaries. The firm and subsidiary were included after signing a $1 million deal to provide North Korea with oil.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov responded to the sanctions with bewilderment and alarm, according to Reuters.

The sanctions are the result of the government’s continued attempt to stall North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. The reclusive country has stepped up its missile testing in recent months, disregarding previous U.S. and international sanctions.

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