The United States on Thursday charged Andriy Kostin, CEO of Russia’s state-owned bank VTB, with violating sanctions along with two of his American associates as part of a wave of law enforcement actions against Russia two years after it invaded Ukraine, Reuters reported.

Russia under sanctionsPhoto: Profimedia Images

According to an indictment in Manhattan federal court, Costin, who was sanctioned by the United States in 2018, is accused of money laundering and sanctions violations for maintaining two yachts worth more than $135 million and a home in Aspen, Colorado.

Two of his associates, Vadim Wolfson and Gannon Bond, were arrested in the United States on charges that they helped look after the $12 million Colorado property while concealing that it belonged to Costin, US Justice Department officials said.

Kostin, who is believed to be in Russia, remains at large.

The indictment was one of five criminal and civil cases the Justice Department released Thursday as part of an effort by U.S. authorities to crack down on people with ties to the Kremlin.

“The Department of Justice is more committed than ever to stem the flow of illicit funds that fuel Putin’s war and bring to justice those who continue to support it,” said US Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Other cases include charges against pro-Russian Ukrainian oligarch Serhii Kurchenko for allegedly using front companies to sell metal products in the United States.

Kurchenko, an associate of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, was sanctioned by the United States in 2015. Kurchenko, who is believed to be living in Moscow, is not in US custody.

US authorities also seized two Florida homes believed to be linked to the founders of a sanctioned Russian construction company and charged a Swiss man accused of operating a superyacht owned by Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg.