US blacklists Uzbekistan-registered Datavice for alleged cooperation with sanctioned Russian firm

OFAC placed Datavice LLC, located in Tashkent, on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List). This means all assets of the company that fall under US jurisdiction must be blocked, and any financial transactions with the company are prohibited for American companies and citizens.

In addition, Datavice now faces the risk of secondary sanctions, meaning that any third party cooperating with the company may also be subject to restrictions.

According to the official notice, Datavice has been designated under the CAATSA – Russia and CYBER4 categories, indicating its alleged involvement in supporting Russian infrastructure or engaging in cybercrime-related activities.

According to OFAC, Datavice LLC is connected to Russia’s Aeza Group LLC, which had previously been sanctioned by the United States. Aeza Group is accused of providing hosting services to various cybercriminal groups, including ransomware operators and developers of malicious software. Its clients are reported to include groups linked to BianLian ransomware, as well as the RedLine and BlackSprut platforms, which specialize in illicit activities online. According to OFAC, these entities used hosted infrastructure to target US defense and technology companies, as well as facilities around the world.

The first Uzbek company to be added to the US sanctions list was the private firm PROMCOMPLEKTLOGISTIC in June 2022. According to the US Department of State, the company continued cooperation with Russia’s Radioavtomatika enterprise despite sanctions imposed on it in March 2022.

In 2023, the Ohangarontsement plant was also included in the sanctions list due to its affiliation with Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov.

In 2024, two more Uzbek companies – Uzstanex and The Elite Investment Group – were designated under OFAC sanctions.