The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has updated its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) list, adding an Uzbekistan-based company over alleged ties to Russia’s technology sector.
The Tashkent-registered firm Datavice was designated for its alleged role in supporting Russia’s IT industry. According to OFAC, the company is involved in schemes connected to Russian cyber operations and efforts to help sanctioned entities evade U.S. restrictions. As a result, all Datavice assets under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen, and U.S. persons and businesses are barred from engaging in financial transactions with the company.
The updated SDN list also includes firms based in the United Kingdom, Serbia, and Russia. U.S. officials described the move as part of a broader package targeting entities believed to be aiding Moscow in circumventing international sanctions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine.
The blacklisting comes amid growing economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United States. On November 12, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree establishing the Uzbekistan-U.S. Business and Investment Council. The council will be jointly chaired by senior officials from both countries and is expected to oversee major trade and investment initiatives.
The council’s goals include attracting foreign capital through a dedicated investment fund, with backing from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Asian Development Bank.
