US confirms it will announce new sanctions on Russia over Ukraine

WASHINGTON

The US has confirmed that it will announce additional sanctions on Russia on Wednesday in coordination with its allies in Europe in response to the war in Ukraine.

The measures will target Russian government officials, their family members and Russian-owned financial institutions as well as state-owned enterprises.

"It's a part of the continuation of our efforts to put consequences in place, hold Russian officials accountable," White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said at a press conference.

Earlier, reports said the US will announce new sanctions on Russia in coordination with Group of 7 (G7) nations and the European Union over the war on Ukraine, which it launched on Feb. 24.

This latest round of sanctions comes in the wake of shocking photos and videos of apparent brutal killings of civilians in the Ukrainian city of Bucha, which was formerly occupied by Russian forces. Russia withdrew from the area on March 30.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Moscow are facing vehement criticism from the international community after Ukraine accused Russian forces of committing “genocide” and “war crimes” in Bucha.

Russia has rejected the allegations as a “fake news attack,” arguing that the images of dead bodies and footage of slain civilians that have drawn global outrage were staged after Russian forces withdrew from the city.

The Russia-Ukraine war, which started on Feb. 24, has drawn international outrage, with the European Union, US and UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

At least 1,480 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 2,195 injured, according to UN estimates, with the true figure feared to be far higher.

More than 4.24 million Ukrainians have fled to other countries, with millions more internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency.