The US Justice Department has announced it is launching a new unit to help enforce the sanctions imposed on Russian oligarchs and government officials due to their country’s actions in Ukraine, CNN reported. 

This special task force will work to seize their yachts, real estate, jets, and other assets. Called KleptoCapture, this task force is a result of a joint effort by the US, European Union and other allies. it aims to punish Russia and Belarus for the continued attacks on Ukraine, via financial sanctions and restrictions on export.

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As per Attorney General Merrick Garland, the new unit will include prosecutors, federal agents, as well as experts in money laundering, national security investigations, and tax enforcement from an assortment of agencies like the FBI, the US Marshals Service, the IRS, and the US Postal Inspection Service, CNN reported. 

In a statement, Garland said, “We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to investigate, arrest, and prosecute those whose criminal acts enable the Russian government to continue this unjust war. Let me be clear: if you violate our laws, we will hold you accountable”. 

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US President Joe Biden underscored the importance of this move in his State of the Union (SOTU) speech, saying, “To the Russian oligarchs and corrupt leaders who have bilked billions of dollars off this violent regime: No more”, and added, “We are joining with our European allies to find and seize their yachts, their luxury apartments, and their private jets”. 

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The forthcoming sanctions already have oligarchs with ties to President Vladimir Putin, moving their yachts to Montenegro or the Maldives, CNBC reported, analyzing data from Marine Traffic. While private sanctions have made some Russian oligarchs speak out against the war, and seek peace, most have not been too vocal about it. With the scrutiny Russian oligarchs are facing over the world, Roman Abramovich has given up ownership of London club Chelsea as well, and is rumoured to be in talks to sell it.