Ottawa sanctions armoured vehicle company owned by Russian Canadian

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announced sanctions against an armoured vehicle company owned by Russian Canadian Guerman Goutorov on Monday. The company, Streit Group, is accused of supplying vehicles to the Russian National Guard, which is involved in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Anand stated that these sanctions aim to reduce Russia's military capabilities in its war against Ukraine by disrupting the company's ability to supply military technology and equipment to Russia.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress welcomed the sanctions but called for stronger enforcement measures to implement a full trade embargo on Russia and designate it as a terrorist state. Streit Group's founder and CEO, Goutorov, did not comment on the sanctions. Russia's ambassador in Ottawa dismissed the sanctions, claiming they have "no practical effect" as the Putin regime "pays no attention to them."

Goutorov established Streit Group in Ontario after immigrating from the Soviet Union, later expanding production to the United Arab Emirates. The company's armoured vehicles have been found in various war zones, and Streit Group has faced fines and accusations of sanctions violations from the U.S. and the United Nations. The Canadian sanctions mirror recent measures taken by the European Union against Streit Group and Goutorov, alleging their involvement in supplying Russia.

Despite the international sanctions, the company has allegedly continued working with Putin's military and related entities. Ukraine reported seizing a Streit Group armoured vehicle on the battlefield, while Russia's National Guard has been seen with new Streit Spartans. Following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Streit Group opened a production facility in Uganda, a country allied with the Kremlin.