US Sanctions Two Russian Individuals for Ties to Daesh, Nusra Front

Two Russian nationals actively engaged in terrorism were designated by the authorities of the United States.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States designated Russian nationals Aslan Avgazarovich Byutukaev and Ayrat Nasimovich Vakhitov as terrorists for their connection with the Daesh and Nusra Front, the US Department of State announced in a statement on Wednesday.

Byutukaev is the leader for Chechnya of the the Islamic State (ISIL, or Daesh) terrorist group’s Levant-Caucasus Province, and Vakhitov is a foreign fighter from Tatarstan, affiliated with the terrorist group Jaysh al-Muhajirin Wal Ansar that pledged allegiance to Nusra Front.

"Today’s action notifies the US public and the international community that Aslan Avgazarovich Byutukaev and Ayrat Nasimovich Vakhitov are actively engaged in terrorism," the State Department said.

The State Department explained that Byutukaev was responsible for directing multiple deadly suicide bombings, including the July 2011 attack that killed 35 people and injured over 100 others inside Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport.

Additionally, the announcement noted that Vakhitov traveled from Tatarstan to fight in Syria and has used the internet to recruit other militants to travel to Syria.

The terrorist designation blocks any of Byutukaev and Vakhitov’s property that is subject to US jurisdiction and prohibits US citizens from having any transactions with them.