Several Russian oligarchs transferred large sums of money to their respective sons shortly before the start of the invasion of Ukraine in fear of being affected by international sanctions.
A report by the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Organization (FinCen) estimates that when the war began «several Russian oligarchs had transferred companies, assets and bank accounts to their children and relatives.»
Some of these transactions occurred just before the international community announced the imposition of sanctions on oligarchs linked to the Russian invasion.
Thus, these transfers could make it easier for these oligarchs to avoid sanctions and, as a result, the freezing of assets and bank accounts as a retaliatory measure. In this regard, the document highlights that some of these transfers were made to children of oligarchs who are studying in the United States.
These funds have also been used for the purchase of real estate and luxury items in the United States. FinCen, however, has not named the individuals allegedly involved.
Many Russian oligarchs and businessmen have been blacklisted by the European Union and other countries because of their support for President Vladimir Putin during the invasion. However, some of them were already on the list earlier, since 2014, the year the war in eastern Ukraine started.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)