Skip to main content

More Russian firms sanctioned over Kerch Strait Bridge work

The European Union has sanctioned more Russian companies involved in the construction of the Kerch Strait Bridge linking Russia with the Crimean Peninsula. Newly placed on the list – now 44 companies in all – are the three firms PJSC Mostotrest, SGM and Stroygazmontazh Most OOO controlled by billionaire Arkady Rotenberg, a close friend of Russian president Vladimir Putin. Others are construction firm CJSC VAD, engineering firm GPSM and the Zaliv Shipyard. Russia seized the Crimea region from the Ukrai
August 6, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
The 1116 European Union has sanctioned more Russian companies involved in the construction of the Kerch Strait Bridge linking Russia with the Crimean Peninsula.


Newly placed on the list – now 44 companies in all – are the three firms PJSC Mostotrest, SGM and Stroygazmontazh Most OOO controlled by billionaire Arkady Rotenberg, a close friend of Russian president Vladimir Putin. Others are construction firm CJSC VAD, engineering firm GPSM and the Zaliv Shipyard.

Russia seized the Crimea region from the Ukraine in March 2014 and continues to support separatist movements in eastern Ukraine.

“Through their actions they supported the consolidation of Russia’s control over the illegally annexed Crimean peninsula, which in turn further undermines the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine,” the European Council said.

The assets have been frozen of the 44 companies which contributed to construction and maintenance of the 19-km road and rail bridge project that opened in May. Cost of the bridge consisting of a four-lane highway and two rail lines was around US$3.7 billion, according to media reports.

A Russian foreign ministry spokesperson reportedly called the added sanctions a "subversive policy directed against the residents of Crimea".

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Legal battle for Croatia’s Peljeski Bridge contract continues
    April 19, 2018
    Only days after Croatia rejected initial complaints, contractors Astaldi, Ictas and Strabag said that they will submit new complaints over the Peljeski bridge winning bid. Croatian media report that Turkey's Ictas, Italy's Astaldi and the Austrian company Strabag are planning to submit a new complaint to the Croatian High Court against a decision by the state procurement authority DKOM to reject their previous complaints. At issue is the awarding of the Peljeski bridge and access roads project to the
  • Highway developments to boost east-west transport
    February 16, 2012
    Huge highway developments are being planned and carried out to further improve East-West transport, with Central Asia a key region as Patrick Smith reports
  • Russia’s most expensive road project to commence
    January 15, 2019
    Construction work is being planned for Russia’s most expensive road, which will be built in south of the country – Eugene Gerden reports Work is due to commence shortly on Russia’s most expensive road, in the south of the country. The highway will form part of the existing 1,600km Moscow-Sochi road, according to recent statements from senior officials at the Russian Ministry of Transport as well as local analysts. As part of the project, the Russian Government, together with private investors, plans to
  • Foreign investors eye expansion into Russian road-building industry
    March 18, 2016
    The Russian road sector looks set for international investment - Eugene Gerden writes Amid the ongoing recovery of the Russian economy from the effect of Western sanctions, foreign investors are considering accelerating their activities in the Russian road building industry. In recent months the establishment of joint ventures with local road building companies has become no longer as profitable for foreign investors as it was in the past. As a result the majority of foreign investors are considering