The US Treasury has imposed sanctions on two Russians accused of misleading and interfering in US elections, including funding pro-Russian propaganda and supporting a gubernatorial candidate.

“The individuals and entities named today have played various roles in Russia’s attempts to manipulate and destabilize the United States, its allies and partners, including Ukraine,” the statement said.

Undersecretary of the Treasury for Counter-Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson noted that “free and fair elections are the backbone of American democracy, which must be protected from any outside influence.”

These sanctions are different from those imposed by Washington and its allies on Russia following the Russian operation in Ukraine in February. The sanctions specifically targeted Aleksandr Ionov, who was also charged by US courts with “conspiracy to recruit agents for Russia.”

A man living in Moscow was accused of “recruiting political groups” in Florida, Georgia and California under the control of Russian intelligence agencies and with the support of the Kremlin between 2014 and 2022, according to a statement by the US Department of Justice.