- Sanctions put a spotlight on what U.S. officials say is a decades-long campaign to stash riches in the names of family and friends.
- Illicit-finance experts say the real impact will come if governments also sanction close relatives.
- The list of alleged girlfriends and children has been uncovered by authorities and activists.
The Biden administration and European Union allies sanctioned Russian President Vladimir Putin personally in February as part of an effort to pressure him to stop his military assault on Ukraine and the war crimes they say he is committing there.
More recently, White House officials announced economic sanctions against Putin’s two adult daughters and other aides and associates, alleging that they are helping hide his vast wealth, possibly including some assets in the U.S. financial system.
