OREANDA-NEWS. Australia has imposed targeted financial sanctions and visa bans on another Russian individual and four Russian companies involved in the construction and operation of a bridge across the Kerch Strait, according to a statement published on the website of the Australian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, March 30.

The document notes, that the Crimean Bridge is an attempt to consolidate Russia's control over the illegally annexed Crimean Peninsula. «This individual and companies, as a result of their actions, are accomplices in an effort to legitimize the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol and to support the actions of the separatists in eastern Ukraine», the statement says.

The Australian Foreign Ministry said, that Canberra, in coordination with international partners, continues to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and calls on Russia to return Crimea and Sevastopol to full Ukrainian control. «Australia rejects Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol and will continue to condemn it's continued intervention, meddling and provocative actions in eastern Ukraine», it said.

In a statement, the Australian Foreign Ministry noted, that the sanctions list of Australia now includes 168 individuals and 52 companies.