On December 19, OFAC targeted individuals and entities associated with "Project Lakhta," which OFAC described as a Russia government-sponsored effort to interfere in political and electoral systems worldwide, including the United States. Project Lakhta's members allegedly used a variety of deceptive schemes, including fictitious or concealed identities, to circulate false information designed to sow division and discord among electorates across the world. Acting pursuant to Executive Order ("EO") 13694, which targets malicious cyber-related activities, the following entities and individuals were designated:
- Nevskiy News LLC
- Economy Today LLC
- Federal News Agency LLC
- USA Really
- Alexander Aleksandrovich Malkevich
- Elena Alekseevna Khusyaynova
OFAC also took action against nine individuals suspected on playing a direct role in interfering in the United States election in 2016. The move hints that OFAC remains focused on punishing Russia for the 2016 attack on America's elections. The individuals designated this quarter are all officers in the GRU and alleged to have played a direct role in targeting US election systems, political parties, and the release and promotion of stolen or hacked information. OFAC noted that these nine individuals are also subject to the July 13, 2018 indictment issued by the Special Counsel tasked with investigating Russia's interference in the 2016 election. The following GRU officials were designated:
- Viktor Borisovich Netyksho
- Boris Alekseyevich Antonov
- Ivan Sergeyevich Yermakov
- Aleksey Viktorovich Lukashev
- Nikolay Yuryevich Kozachek
- Artem Andreyevich Malyshev
- Aleksandr Vladimirovich Osadchuk
- Aleksey Aleksandrovich Potemkin
- Anatoliy Sergeyevich Kovalev
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