The US administration has expanded its sanctions list to include several Russian military bodies, companies and individuals. Washington imposed the restrictions on the grounds that they had violated US legislation covering the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems.

The State Department notice was published in the US Federal Register on August 3. According to the document, the decision took effect on July 24.

The restrictions target the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate of the Russian Defense Ministry, the Directorate for Advanced Inter-Service Research and Special Projects, the Russian Ground Forces and the 1061st Material and Technical Support Center.

The list also includes Gideon Alpha, International Invest Company LLC, as well as their subsidiaries, affiliated entities and legal successors. Five individuals were named: Andrey Gusev, Andrey Kosolapov, Vladislav Morozik, Alexander Prikhodko and Sergey Tsibarev.

Washington based the decision on a US law dealing with the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction in relation to Iran, North Korea and Syria. The notice alleges that the sanctioned parties supplied those countries with, or purchased from them, goods, services and technologies covered by international export-control regimes.

The restrictions also concern products that the US authorities claim could be used to develop weapons of mass destruction, cruise missiles or ballistic missile systems.

The decision was approved by US Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control and Nonproliferation Christopher Yeaw.

Under the measures, US federal agencies are barred from purchasing goods, technologies or services from the listed organizations and individuals. They are also prohibited from providing them with government assistance, transferring military-purpose products or issuing the relevant licenses.

The sanctions will remain in force for two years. The US secretary of state may, however, authorize individual exemptions.

The published notice does not specify the evidence behind the allegations against each Russian body, company or citizen. Moscow has repeatedly rejected Washington’s practice of applying US domestic legislation beyond American jurisdiction.