Ottawa sanctions armoured vehicle company owned by Russian Canadian

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand imposed sanctions on Monday against an armoured vehicle company in Canada, Streit Group, owned by Russian Canadian Guerman Goutorov. The sanctions were issued due to the company's role in supplying vehicles to the Russian National Guard, which is currently engaged in the war in Ukraine. Anand stated that Streit Group "continues to feed Russia’s war machine" and that the sanctions will "reduce Russia’s military capabilities in its war against Ukraine by disrupting and hindering Streit Group’s capacity to supply military technology and equipment to Russia."

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress applauded the decision but criticized the government for not taking action against Goutorov, the company's founder and CEO. They suggested the government should invest more resources in investigating and enforcing export and sanctions laws, as well as consider a full trade embargo on Russia and designate it as a terrorist state.

Streit Group did not comment on the sanctions. Russia's ambassador in Ottawa dismissed the sanctions, claiming they had "no practical effect" as the Putin regime "pays no attention to them." Goutorov established Streit Group in Ontario following his immigration from the Soviet Union, later building a significant production facility in the United Arab Emirates.

His armoured vehicles have been found in various war zones, and Streit Group has faced fines from the U.S. and accusations of sanctions violations from the United Nations. The Canadian sanctions followed similar actions by the European Union against Streit Group and Goutorov, alleging they were supplying Russia. Since the invasion of Ukraine, the company has been accused of collaborating with Putin's military and companies despite international sanctions.

Ukraine claimed to have seized a Streit Group armoured vehicle on the battlefield, while Russia's national guard was seen with new Streit Spartans. Months after Russia's 2022 attempt to seize Ukraine, Streit Group opened a new production facility in Uganda, whose government is allied with the Kremlin.