MOSCOW, May 9. /TASS/. Russia views new US sanctions against Russian defense bodies as a desire to get even with Moscow after a fiasco of a missile strike against Syria on April 14, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
"Formally, Russia is being accused of breaching US legislation that bans cooperation in defense technology with Iran, North Korea and Syria, and that cannot have any relation to our country," the ministry said. "In fact, it is obviously a hackneyed desire to be even for a fiasco of the missile attack launched by the United States alongside the United Kingdom and France against the Syrian Arab Republic on April 14 in violation of international law."
The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that the fact is substantiated by adding such entities as the Gatchina Surface-to-Air Missile Training Center and the 183rd Guard Air Defense Missile Regiment to the sanctions list.
"Maybe, [they are blacklisted] for training and instructing well the Syrian air defense servicemen who shot down most of western aggressors’ missiles," the foreign ministry said emphasizing that the Russian General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate and Rosoboronexport arms export company had been placed on sanctions lists before.
"The Americans seem to have forgotten that they have sanctioned them more than once and intend to threaten us what they have failed to frighten us with earlier," the statement reads.
Washington is incapable of pressuring Russia both economically and politically to stop protecting own interests or supporting partners, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said.
"American politicians, who are itching to ‘punish’ everyone who follows an independent policy in the international arena, might be advised not to overestimate their strength. Apparently, current sanctions is de facto recognition that Syrian air defense troops convincingly showcased capabilities of the Soviet-and Russian-manufactured weapons and hit the missile targets precisely on April 14," it says.
US sanctions against Russian defense entities under law on nonproliferation
The United States has worked out sanctions against certain Russian, Iranian, North Korean and Chinese individuals and legal entities, accusing them of violating US national legislation on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Among the blacklisted entities are the Gatchina Surface-to-Air Missile Training Center, the Russian Defense Ministry’s 18th Central Scientific Research Institute in Kursk, the Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) in Tula, the 183rd Guard Air Defense Missile Regiment, and the Russian Research and Production Concern (BARL). New restrictions have been again imposed on the Russian General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate (former GRU).
The list includes 28 individuals and legal entities. Among them are Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force, Iranian air and defense companies, a Chinese trade corporation, Lebanese Hezbollah, Syria’s Air Force and Scientific Studies and Research Center, three legal entities of Egypt, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
According to the US government, they all could have "the potential to make a material contribution to the development of" cruise or ballistic missile systems in Iran, Syria or North Korea. Many of the above-mentioned legal entities have been long under sanctions slapped by the US Treasury.
Traditionally, the United States does not elaborate on the claims as the US’ attempts to exercise extraterritorial jurisdiction are implied. The sanctions mean that no US department or agency might procure any goods, technology, or services from the blacklisted persons or companies, might sell weapons or warfare placed on the US Munitions List or to provide any assistance to those foreign persons.