The US has sacked Russian businessman Vladimir Potanin, stepping up pressure on Moscow over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

(Reuters file photo)

(Central News Agency) The United States today sanctioned Russia's financial services industry and Russian businessman Vladimir Potanin, stepping up pressure on Moscow over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The U.S. State Department said in a statement that Washington had imposed sanctions on Potanin, one of Russia's richest men, as well as his wife, adult children, yacht and Interros.

International Ross Group is an investment holding company under the control of Potanin.

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Potanin, 61, is the largest shareholder in Russia's Nornickel, which was not targeted for sanctions today.

Norilsk is the world's leading producer of palladium and refined nickel, and International Ross Group owns 36 percent of Norilsk.

Washington is also imposing sanctions on Russian commercial bank Rosbank, which Potanin bought this year, and 17 subsidiaries of Russia's VTB Bank, the U.S. Treasury Department said.

Washington has previously sanctioned VTB Bank.

U.S. Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in a statement that today's U.S. sanctions, along with actions by international partners, "will further limit (Russian President's) Vladimir Putin's regime's ability to create terrorism for Ukraine." ability to finance wars".

All U.S. assets targeted by the sanctions will be frozen, and Americans generally will not be able to have financial dealings with them.