Russia has imposed sanctions on 500 people, including several Americans seen as adversaries of former President Donald J. Trump. The list includes New York Attorney General Letitia James, Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smith, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, and Capitol Police Officer Michael Byrd. The Russian Foreign Ministry offered no specific explanation for why they were included, but did say that among its targets were “those in government and law enforcement agencies who are directly involved in the persecution of dissidents in the wake of the so-called storming of the Capitol.” The sanctions are likely to have little effect on the individuals, as none of them are known to have assets in Russia or plans to travel there. However, the move is seen as a tit-for-tat retaliation for the latest curbs imposed by the United States, and a sign that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia is adopting perceived enemies of Mr. Trump as his own.
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