The United States has imposed further sanctions against Russia over the events in eastern Ukraine and Crimea.

The United States has imposed further sanctions against Russia over the events in eastern Ukraine and Crimea.

Eleven more people and 15 more companies have been put on the sanctions list, Russia Today reported.

Among the newly included firms are affiliate companies of Russian oil giant Rosneft, as well as several organizations linked to one of the country’s major banks - Vnesheconombank.

Sanctions were also imposed against five Crimean commercial ports located in the towns of Sevastopol, Feodoisa, Kerch, Evpatoria and Yalta, as well as the Kerch ferry service.

The US embassy to Russia said that Washington regards the new sanctions not as an escalation of tensions between the countries but rather as a "routine step" in strengthening current US policy.

“This is evidence indicating that the United States does not only impose sanctions against the state but also seek to put pressure on the private enterprises. This is evidence of unfair competition and protectionist measures the USA is using amid the growing demand for Russian light weapons as well as the growing sales of Russian weapons on the US market,” the Kalashnikov Concern spokesperson said as reported by TASS.