On September 13, 2024, the U.S. Department of State announced the designations of two individuals and three entities for their involvement in Russia’s efforts to foster unrest in Moldova and undermine its electoral processes. The designations include the Russian state-owned and state-funded broadcast agency formally known as the Federal State Unitary Enterprise International Information Agency Rossiya Segodnya (“Rossiya Segodnya”) and its director Dmitry Konstantinovich Kiselev for their roles in inciting protests in Moldova to turn violent. The designations also include Autonomous Non Profit Organization TV Novosti (“TV Novosti”), an organization that is federally funded and associated with Rossiya Segodnya, which has allegedly worked with the Russian Government to interfere in Moldova’s upcoming presidential election.
The designations were imposed pursuant to Executive Order 14024, as amended, for being an entity that is owned or controlled by the Government of the Russian Federation or for being a leader or executive in such an entity. As a result of these designations, all property and interests in property of the designated persons within the United States or within the possession or control of a U.S. person are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions involving a designated person. Entities owned 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked.
In connection with the new designations, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued two general licenses under the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations (“RuHSR”), 31 CFR part 587. OFAC issued General License 109 to authorize winddown transactions with Rossiya Segodnya and TV Novosti. General License 25F was issued to authorize transactions related to telecommunications and certain internet-based communications from the United States to Russia. GL 25F, which effectively replaces and supersedes GL 25E in its entirety, added Rossiya Segodnya and TV Novosti to a list of Russia-based communications companies that are excluded from these authorizations for being designated under EO 14024. OFAC also issued Frequently Asked Question 1040 to provide an overview of the authorizations provided in GL 25F.
U.S. Department of State Fact Sheet | General License 109 | General License 25F | FAQ 1040