WASHINGTON - In a significant move marking the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the United States has imposed sweeping sanctions against over 500 individuals and entities. The sanctions, targeting various sectors including finance, energy, and military, aim to escalate pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin for both his international aggression and domestic repression, particularly in light of the recent death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

President Joe Biden emphasized that these measures are intended to make Putin pay a higher price for his actions, both abroad and within Russia. The sanctions specifically hit Russia's Mir payment system, financial institutions, military industrial base, and entities involved in sanctions evasion. Additionally, prison officials allegedly linked to Navalny's death have been targeted.

Russian Ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, responded defiantly, suggesting that sanctions won't bring Russia down. Nevertheless, the U.S. remains firm in its stance, with the Treasury Department targeting nearly 300 entities, the State Department hitting over 250, and the Commerce Department adding over 90 companies to its Entity List.

The sanctions come amidst ongoing support for Ukraine, which has been facing severe ammunition shortages. The Biden administration has been urging Congress to approve further military aid for Ukraine. The European Union, Britain, and Canada have also joined the U.S. in taking action against Russia.

Despite the extensive sanctions imposed over the past two years since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia's economy has shown resilience. Critics argue that while the latest sanctions involve numerous entities, their impact may be limited as Moscow can easily find replacements.

Nevertheless, the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, described Friday's sanctions as the largest number of designations in a single Russia action. The measures target not only Russian entities but also those from China, Turkey, the UAE, and elsewhere for supporting Russia's actions in Ukraine.

In addition to economic measures, the State Department also singled out Russian Federal Penitentiary Service officials allegedly involved in Navalny's death and individuals associated with the forcible transfer of Ukrainian children. The Biden administration has directly blamed Putin for Navalny's demise, further escalating tensions between the two nations.