Sanctioned Russian IT Companies: Astra Group and IBS Group, Among Others, Targeted by US Treasury

The US Department of the Treasury has recently placed several Russian IT companies on its sanctions list, including public joint stock company Astra Group and a number of companies within the IBS group. Approximately 30 other tech firms have also been targeted for their work in the technological sector of the Russian economy, according to reports by Interfax.

One of the reasons cited for Astra Group’s inclusion on the sanctions list is its involvement in developing an operating system that is used by the Russian defense industry and armed forces. Similarly, IBS group of companies has been added to the SDN List due to its participation in various projects, including digitalization efforts by Rostec state corporation and software solutions development for government agencies.

IBS group had previously faced indirect sanctions when its founder and beneficiary, Anatoly Karachinsky, was included in the SDN List in April 2022 as a member of Otkritie Bank’s board of directors. As a result, he sold his stake in IBS to operational top management. This latest mass inclusion of Russian IT companies on the sanctions list follows a similar move in 2022 when around 30 tech firms associated with microelectronics development and production were also targeted.