Russia warns of retaliatory measures following US energy sanctions

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated that Moscow may retaliate against the latest US sanctions targeting Russia’s fuel and energy complex.

“We cannot rule out anything. What is in the best interests of our country will be done,” Peskov stated when asked about potential countermeasures, Caliber.Az reports referring to Russian media.

He emphasized that Moscow would adopt measures to mitigate the impact of the sanctions and protect domestic companies.

The US Treasury Department recently announced sanctions against 13 prominent Russian individuals, including leaders of major oil companies and officials from the Russian Energy Ministry. Additionally, over 30 oilfield service companies operating in Russia are now under restrictions.

Among those targeted are:

• Alexander Dyukov, CEO of Gazprom Neft
• Vladimir Bogdanov, head of Surgutneftegaz
• Vadim Vorobyov, president of Lukoil
• Nail Maganov, CEO of Tatneft
• Sergei Kudryashov, head of Zarubezhneft
• Vladimir Chernov, executive in various Russian energy firms

Sanctions were also imposed on senior Russian Energy Ministry officials, including:

• Roman Marshavin and Eduard Sheremettsev, deputy ministers
• Petr Bobylev, director of the Department of Coal Industry Development
• Vadim Pavlov, head of the Department of Special Projects Implementation
• Dmitry Semenov, head of the Department of International Cooperation
• Artyom Verkhov, director of the Department of Gas Industry Development

The US Treasury has further expanded its sanctions list to include 17 companies and 3 individuals based in Hong Kong, Latvia, Liberia, the UAE, and Russia, accusing them of facilitating trade in Russian oil.

According to a senior US administration official, the latest measures target entities supporting Russia’s production and export of liquefied natural gas (LNG), including the Arctic LNG-2 project. The sanctions also cover Russia’s metallurgical, mining, and oil industries, as well as leadership figures from Rosatom.

By Tamilla Hasanova