US Commerce Department bars American exports to 3 Russian airlines

By a Staff Reporter:  The US Commerce Department on Thursday moved to block three Russian airlines from receiving exported parts from the US in the department’s first move to punish alleged violations of export controls since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The move  which applies to Russian flagship carrier Aeroflot, along with airlines Azur Air and Utair is an effort to cut off the airlines from the global economy. It follows US sanctions announced Wednesday against two of Russia’s biggest banks and the adult children of Russian President Vladimir Putin, as US President Joe Biden accused Russia of war crimes in Ukraine.