New US sanctions hit one of Russia's richest men Vladimir Potanin

Faced with sweeping international sanctions, there is evidence that economic conditions in Russia are starting to deteriorate

Vladimir Potanin attends a session of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum in Russia in 2019. Reuters

The US has issued financial sanctions against one of Russia's wealthiest men, Vladimir Potanin, the Treasury and State departments said on Thursday.

The action comes after similar moves were made against Mr Potanin and his network by Britain and Canada, the State Department said.

"Our actions today are a clear message that the United States will not hesitate to continue to use the tools at our disposal to promote an end to, and accountability for, President [Vladimir] Putin’s unconscionable war" in Ukraine, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

Among those being sanctioned are 29 Russian governors and regional heads as well as two of the leaders' family members. Also being sanctioned is an entity owned by one of the family members.

"These governors oversee and enforce the conscription of citizens in response to Russia’s recent mobilisation order," the Secretary of State said.

Treasury is sanctioning 18 entities related to Russia's financial services sector, while the State Department is designating Mr Potanin, his network and more than 40 more people linked to the government in Moscow.

US sanctions more Russian oligarchs - in pictures

Witanhurst is located in Highgate Village above Hampstead Heath, London. Photo: Keith Newformula

London neighbourhoods favoured by Russian owners are Belgravia, Knightsbridge, Chelsea, Hampstead and Highgate, the wealthiest areas of the capital. Getty Images

The Russian billionaire Andrey Guryev owns Witanhurst, the second largest private residence in London after Buckingham Palace, and has 65 rooms, 25 bedrooms and a ballroom. Getty Images

Witanhurst was bought by the Guryev family through an offshore company called Safran Holdings, located in the tax haven of the British Virgin Islands, for £50 million in 2008. Getty Images

Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko in Moscow, Russia, in February 9, 2018. Reuters

The 118-metre superyacht belonging to Mr Melnichenko anchored in the port of Ras Al Khaimah. AP

Mr Melnichenko was slapped with sanctions by the US Treasury Department on Tuesday. AP

'Motor Yacht A' is seen moored on the River Thames beside the 'HMS Belfast' in London in 2016. Reuters

'Motor Yacht A' is seen near the harbour in Monaco on May 4, 2017. Reuters

The superyacht belonging to Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, which has been sequestered by Italian police, is seen at the port of Trieste, Italy, on March 12, 2022. Reuters

Mr Melnichenko's sailing yacht in Trieste, Italy, on March 10, 2022. It is the largest private sail-assisted motor yacht in the world. AFP

Russian oligarch Dmitry Pumpyanskiy. Photo: Kremlin.ru

Russian President Vladimir Putin with Mr Pumpyanskiy in July 2014. Photo: Kremlin.ru

The superyacht 'Alfa Nero' is owned by Andrey Guryev. Photo: Schnippchen

The 'Alfa Nero' in the Port of Antibes on the French Riviera. Photo: Wikipedia

Corporate leaders of Russian state-owned companies are also named in the latest addition to Washington's sanctions regime.

The State Department said it is also designating five individuals serving on the board of directors of Russian Railways, including Russian Deputy Prime Ministers Andrey Belousov and Dmitriy Chernyshenko.

“By sanctioning additional major Russian banks, we continue to deepen Russia’s isolation from global markets,” said Brian Nelson, Treasury under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence .

Faced with sweeping international sanctions since its February invasion of Ukraine, there is some evidence that economic conditions in Russia are starting to deteriorate at a faster rate, a December report from Washington's Congressional Research Service showed.

In November, the Russian central bank estimated a faster economic contraction in the fourth quarter of 2022, at a little more than 7 per cent compared to previous quarters, which sat at about 4 per cent.

Sanctions may be a contributing factor, the report said, "but other factors are likely contributing ... most notably, the war effort itself".

That additional economic strain includes factors such as the mobilisation of civilian production for military purposes, workers drafted into military service and deferred domestic infrastructure projects.