United States imposes sanctions on Putin’s allies

Washington, US - The US struck President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle on Friday, imposing sanctions on seven of Russia’s most influential oligarchs.

Those hit include metals magnate Oleg Deripaska as well as Alexei Miller, director of stateowned energy giant Gazprom. Any assets they hold in areas under US jurisdiction could now be frozen.

Also on the list are tycoon Suleiman Kerimov, under investigation in France over allegations he brought in millions of euros in suitcases full of cash, and Kirill Shamalov, a billionaire reported to be Putin’s son-in-law.