Australia has moved to further sanction more than 70 Russian politicians and more than 30 “puppet” Ukrainian government officials installed in the separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.
The move comes as Ukrainian fighters say Russian forces are attacking the encircled Azovstal steelworks plant in Mariupol after a ceasefire broke down.
It is believed about 200 civilians remain trapped in bunkers beneath the plant.
Mariupol is a Ukrainian coastal city, south of the Donetsk region in east Ukraine.
Russia recognised the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as independent shortly before its February 24 invasion, leading to international condemnation.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne says the sanctions and travel bans on the 110 individuals are in response to the violation of Ukrainian sovereignty “through their assertion of governmental authority”.
Some of the Russian parliamentarians added voted in favour of the resolution calling for President Vladimir Putin to recognise the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk, while the majority subsequently voted in favour of ratifying treaties with the regions.
“Australia reiterates our unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for the people of Ukraine,” Senator Payne said.
Russian politician Oleg Matveichev was also listed for the dissemination of disinformation and propaganda.
“As a mouthpiece for President Putin, he even argued disingenuously for the payment of reparations for harm caused by Western sanctions and the war itself,” Senator Payne said.
Australia has now sanctioned 812 individuals and 47 entities in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February.
The United States accused Russia of moving to install puppet officials as the Kremlin seeks a “forced capitulation” of Ukraine’s government and to annex much of the country’s east.
The US ambassador to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Michael Carpenter, said Russia was developing plans for a new government and new constitutions to “try to add a veneer of democratic or electoral legitimacy” as it moved to dismantle local governments across Ukraine.
“The reality is that Russia installed puppet regimes dependent on Russian bribes, and orchestrated nebulous ‘people’s councils’ to create phoney constitutions,” he said.
with Reuters and AP
