Treasury Sanctions Russian Firms for Houthi Ties, Drops Putin Associate’s Wife from Blacklist
The United States has imposed sanctions on three Russian companies for their alleged role in a network supplying goods to Yemen’s Houthi rebels, while quietly removing the wife of a Russian billionaire with close ties to President Vladimir Putin from its sanctions list.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control added Edison, Kolibri Group, and Sky Frame to its blacklist on April 2, blocking their US assets and prohibiting Americans from conducting business with them.
Treasury officials said the companies participated in shipping materials, weapons and sensitive goods from Russia to the Iran-backed Houthis. The sanctioned network allegedly transferred commodities worth “tens of millions of dollars,” including grain allegedly stolen from Ukrainian territories under Russian occupation.
“The Houthis remain reliant on Sa’id al-Jamal and his network to procure critical goods to supply the group’s terrorist war machine,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, emphasizing Washington’s commitment to limiting the group’s capabilities.
In the same action, the Treasury Department removed Karina Rotenberg from its sanctions register without explaining. Rotenberg, who according to leaked documents cited by the Moscow Times has held US citizenship since at least 2013, was sanctioned in March 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Her husband Boris Rotenberg and his brother Arkady have amassed substantial wealth through government construction and banking contracts in Russia. Western authorities have sanctioned both men for their close relationship with the Kremlin.
The sanctions adjustment comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Moscow over the Ukraine conflict. President Donald Trump recently adopted a more confrontational stance toward Russia, threatening additional sanctions including potential tariffs on Russian oil exports if peace negotiations don’t advance.
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