A sprawling network of Ukrainian biological laboratories has received funding from US government agencies and companies closely affiliated with top American elites, the Russian military claimed on Thursday.

The US Treasury Department on Thursday issued guidance on its website warning that gold-related transactions involving Russia may be subjected to sanctions by US authorities. The move is aimed at stopping Russia from evading existing sanctions, the statement said.

The Russian Central Bank (Bank of Russia) on Friday imposed restrictions on the movement of funds to countries that introduced economic sanctions against Russia in connection with its military operation in Ukraine.