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The US Treasury Department has initiated punitive measures against Ivan Alexandrovic Maslov, the commander of Russia's Wagner Group operating in Mali, according to a declaration released on Thursday.
The implemented sanctions focus on Maslov, following undisclosed evidence indicating that his team has been engaging in acquisition efforts of mines, drones, and diverse weapon systems from international suppliers. These actions, allegedly intended to bolster Russian forces in Ukraine, were noted in the department's statement.
The release further highlighted suspicions of Kremlin exploiting Mali, a West African country, as a logistical hub for transiting arms shipments to Russian troops stationed in the Eastern European nation.
According to the official announcement, the Wagner Group seems to be deliberately camouflaging its procurement efforts for Ukraine-based military assets. These operations involve its presence in Mali and other nations where the Group maintains influence. "Any support to Russia via the Wagner Group is met with US opposition," the statement emphasized.
The sanctions serve to detect and impede a pivotal agent from assisting in the Wagner Group's international operations, stated Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian E. Nelson.
The statement further underscored the destabilizing effects of Wagner Group's activities on African territories. It alleged that hosting this group undermines the sovereignty of any country and leads to internal instability.
The Wagner Group, notorious for its human rights violations and unauthorized appropriation of natural resources, has historically interfered in and destabilized various African countries. This group, reputedly backing the war efforts of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine, is also engaged in Kremlin-endorsed combat missions globally.
We gotta wait for the big wigs to pull their money out before they start sanctions on any group wankers should have been sanction day 1
Wagner's activity around the globe was probably always monitored but after their involvement in Ukraine they are going to be either stomped elsewhere or be used to spill the war across the Russian and Ukrainian borders.
yep, and about time, this Wagner group are nothing but international terrorists! operating under the putin umbrella!