Not the age of Akvarius: OFAC issues wind-down for Russian IT company

The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (‘OFAC’) has issued a wind-down licence for Akvarius (also ‘Aquarius’) which describes itself as ‘the largest IT manufacturer in Russia,’ and, ‘a Russian designer, manufacturer and supplier of computer hardware and IT solutions for corporate clients.’

Akvarius was designated along with a slew of Russian entities and individuals that OFAC described as ‘facilitators of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.’ OFAC said it had ‘designated 22 individuals and 2 entities, including multiple individuals who have furthered the Government of the Russian Federation’s (GoR) objectives in Ukraine, both prior to and during Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Also included among those being designated is Task Force Rusich, a neo-Nazi paramilitary group that has participated in combat alongside Russia’s military in Ukraine, as well as two of its senior leaders.’

The action, it said, was being taken ‘in coordination with those taken by the U.S. Department of Commerce, which is imposing additional export control measures to further align with partners and allies, as well as by the U.S. Department of State, which is targeting Russia’s defense and high-technology industries, as well as proxy authorities.’

https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20220915