The UK has expanded its sanctions list to include companies based in Kazakhstan.
This was reported by Informburo.kz, citing the United Kingdom's Foreign Office.
"It is noted that the sanctions are aimed at restricting suppliers of military equipment and spare parts to Russia, which are used 'to wage an illegal war in Ukraine'", the statement reads.
Among the entities subject to sanctions are 28 companies, including:
- Kazstanex LLP;
- Stanex Group LLP;
- Zapchasttrade LLP;
- CPS Energy LLP;
- Rabadaziya LLP;
- TawKz LLP.
The UK Foreign Office indicated that the companies are registered in Kazakhstan, however the websites of some of them mention operations in foreign states.
It is noted that these companies are primarily engaged in the wholesale and retail trade of various goods, including industrial bearings and auto parts.
For context, in February the European Union published another package of sanctions against Russia and companies from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, China, Iran, Turkey and other countries.
Also on that list was the Kazakh company Elem Group LLP. It was suspected of "supporting the Russian military-industrial complex" and "participating in the circumvention of trade restrictions."
Shortly before the publication, the Ministry of Trade reported that the company had not carried out any import or export activities since last year and is in the process of being liquidated.
In July, it was reported that the Russian financial institution Asia-Pacific Bank (ATB), owned by former President Nazarbayev, could face US sanctions.
In August, the company Catu Tech Ltd., registered in Astana, was added to the US Treasury Department's sanctions list. The US State Department noted that over the course of a year, the company had sent more than 30 shipments of chips and other components that could be used in the military industry to Russian counterparties.
In October, the US Treasury Department added the Kazakh company "Kazstanex" to its sanctions list. As claimed by the American agency, the company, together with the Uzbek firm Uzstanex LLC, was involved in a scheme to supply certain machine tools to Russia.