New U.S. sanctions target two Russian intelligence assets revealed by The Insider: the Silk Way Rally and its head Bulat Yanborisov

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the international Silk Way Rally Association (Silk Way) and its head, Bulat Yanborisov. Both were subjects of The Insider's April 2023 investigation into how the GRU, Russia's military intelligence arm, uses the rally to cover up its operations. The sanctions were part of a larger package unveiled by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on June 12.

Previously, The Insider revealed that Yanborisov, the CEO and general director of Silk Way, is actively involved with the GRU — and that he has been awarded the Order of Alexander Nevsky for his work. He is connected to GRU officers implicated in poisonings and bombings across Europe.

The GRU has used Silk Way to establish contacts with foreign politicians and businessmen with the aim of advancing Russia’s interests on the global stage. Despite the sporting nature of the event, it serves as an important tool for diplomatic and intelligence purposes. Yanborisov and his association played a key role in these efforts, providing cover and support for intelligence operations.