Breaking Down US Efforts to Combat Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Commerce Department Takes Steps to Sanction US Companies Exporting Weapons

The US government is taking steps to prevent the use of US goods in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Assistant Secretary Matthew Axelrod revealed at an annual export control conference in Washington that letters were sent to 20 US companies, warning them about the potential risks associated with shipping to more than 600 foreign countries. These companies are involved in the production and sale of products found in missiles and drones found in Ukraine. Despite sanctions imposed on Russia by the US and other countries after its invasion in 2022, US components are still being identified in Russian weapons left on the battlefield in Ukraine.

To disrupt Russia’s war effort, the Commerce Department has issued warnings to these companies and senior US officials from the Commerce, State, and Treasury departments have engaged with company leaders to explore further actions they can take. Companies have been asked to voluntarily stop shipping to these parties due to the high risk of transshipment to Russia. This move is aimed at preventing any further escalation of tensions between Russia and Ukraine and maintaining peace in the region.