U.S. expands sanctions to include two more Uzbekistan-based companies

The latest sanctions list, unveiled by the U.S. Treasury, includes a total of 275 individuals and entities identified as contributors to Russia’s military and industrial capabilities. Among them are Uzstanex and The Elite Investment Group, both officially registered in Uzbekistan.

According to Uzbekistan’s Unified State Register of Enterprises and Organizations, Uzstanex was established in July 2018 and specializes in the wholesale trade of mechanical devices. The company, headquartered in Tashkent's Yashnobod district, has a charter capital of 65 million UZS and is owned by Vasily Abramov, with Dmitry Boytsov as its director.

The U.S. Treasury noted that equipment purchased by Uzstanex was routed to Russia through China-based Shanghai Winsun Imp and Exp Co Ltd. This channel of supply led to Uzstanex being added to the sanctions list.

The Elite Investment Group, established in January 2024 with a charter capital of 3 million UZS, is involved in non-specialized wholesale trading and is based in the Yangiyul district of Tashkent region. The company’s founder and director is Nodira Kazakbaeva.

The Treasury report states that between mid-March and May 2024, The Elite Investment Group facilitated shipments of high-priority goods valued at approximately $190,000, including electrical transformers, to Russian companies such as GTS GRUPP. These deliveries reportedly used GUCLU GLOBAL as a logistics intermediary, with goods transported to Russia.

Previously, the U.S. had sanctioned two other Uzbek-registered companies, Mvizion and Intheme Lab LLC, for similar activities supporting Russia’s defense sector.