Accused Bucha attackers focused in U.S. visa bans on Russian officers

Russian and U.S. flags are pictured earlier than talks between Russian Deputy International Minister Sergei Ryabkov and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman at the US Mission in Geneva, Switzerland January 10, 2022. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

WASHINGTON, Might 8 (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned on Sunday that new U.S. visa bans on greater than 2,600 Russian and Belarusian army officers included personnel believed to have operated in Bucha, a city exterior of Kyiv the place Russian forces are accused of executing residents.

Saying a brand new coverage of visa restrictions concentrating on Russian and pro-Russian forces in Ukraine, the State Division mentioned it imposed bans on 2,596 members of the Russian army and 13 Belarusian army officers. The visa bans apply to the officers and their quick relations.

“Included amongst this group are personnel who reportedly took half in Russian army actions in Bucha, the horrors of which have shocked the world,” Blinken mentioned in a press release.

Reuters lately revealed a particular report together with new particulars in regards to the forces who occupied Bucha.

Ukrainian officers have mentioned a whole lot of civilians have been discovered lifeless after Russian troops left the city. Russian officers have mentioned the killings had been faked.

The visa bans got here amid a raft of latest U.S. sanctions after President Joe Biden and different Group of Seven leaders met nearly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday and pledged to additional isolate Russia and its economic system. learn extra

The State Division additionally blacklisted eight Russian maritime-related corporations and 69 vessels, which might now seem of a U.S. Treasury Division sanctions listing that blocks them from doing enterprise in the US or with U.S. individuals.

The businesses focused embrace the Russian Ministry of Protection’s delivery firm and Fertoing, a specialised marine engineering firm that produces remotely operated subsea gear however would now be blocked from accessing U.S. applied sciences, Blinken mentioned.

Reporting by Simon Lewis; Modifying by Leslie Adler and Lisa Shumaker

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