Daily Compliance Brief — OFAC Issues New Sanctions Actions and Temporary License for Russian Oil Transactions

March 9, 2026

Signal

The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has announced new sanctions actions, including designations targeting the Rwanda Defence Force and senior officials for supporting the M23 armed group operating in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The measures form part of ongoing efforts to disrupt networks linked to regional instability and armed group support.

Separately, OFAC has issued Russia-related General License 133 authorizing certain transactions involving Russian-origin crude oil and petroleum products loaded on vessels as of March 5, 2026, provided delivery occurs to ports in India within a limited time window. :contentReference[oaicite:0]

Why it matters

Financial institutions and commodity trade participants should reassess sanctions screening related to newly designated individuals and entities associated with the Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions program.

Trade finance, shipping, and commodities compliance teams should also evaluate transactions potentially relying on the temporary Russia-related general license, ensuring that eligibility criteria, timing requirements, and counterparties align with the authorization parameters.

Institutions exposed to energy trading or maritime logistics should closely monitor transaction flows involving Russian-origin petroleum products and confirm that internal controls appropriately capture license-based exemptions while maintaining sanctions risk oversight.