U.S. sanctions targeted Russian missile makers
As speculation abounds that a missile brought down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine, it turns out, surface-to-air missiles are at the very top of the list of weapons that the U.S has been trying to get Russia to stop providing to the pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine.
Those weapons-makers were among those targeted in the most recent round of sanctions levied Wednesday.
The Russian weapons-makers sanctioned on Wednesday:
- Almaz-Antey manufactures surface-to-air missile systems currently used by the Russian military;
- Federal State Unitary Enterprise State Research and Production Enterprise Bazalt ("Bazalt") is involved in the design and construction of air-launched ordnance, rocket propelled grenades, and armored fighting vehicle ammunition. Bazalt's manufacturing interests include aerial bombs, mortar shells, grenades, anti-tank and anti-saboteur grenade launchers, and projectiles of all types and calibers;
- JSC Concern Sozvezdie develops and produces high-tech control and communication systems, radio electronic warfare and special equipment for military forces;
- JSC MIC NPO Mashinostroyenia is a leading Russian rocketry company responsible for defense programs involving cruise missile complexes capable of surface, underwater, and ground platform-based launches;
- Kalashnikov Concern produces a number of military weapons, including multiple grades and versions of assault rifles, grenade launchers, sniper rifles, military shotguns, and aircraft cannons. Kalashnikov Concern is the largest firearms producer in Russia and is a subsidiary of Russia's State Corporation of Russian Technologies (Rostec);
- KBP Instrument Design Bureau is a research and production center that creates precision-guided weapons. KBP Instrument Design Bureau develops antitank missile systems and assault armaments, weapon systems for main battle tanks and lightly armored vehicles, guided artillery projectiles and guided missile systems, short-range air defense systems, gun armament and associated ammunition, combat small arms, and hunting/sporting guns;
- Radio-Electronic Technologies designs and produces electronic warfare equipment including weapons-control systems, friend-or-foe identification (IFF) systems, avionics, operational and tactical systems, electronic warfare and intelligence equipment, special measuring instrumentation, and plugs, electric connectors, and cable products;
- Uralvagonzavod is a Russian government-owned company that builds a variety of military equipment, including tanks.