Russia Vows Retaliation Against U.S. For Expanded Sanctions

Moscow is vowing to retaliate against the United States for widening its sanctions against Russian citizens and imposing first-time sanctions against Russian weapons manufacturers in an effort to prevent arms sales to Iran, North Korea, and Syria.

Russia's Foreign Ministry described the U.S. moves on September 2 as the latest in a series of "hostile actions" that entail "serious costs for international stability and, without a doubt, will strike back at U.S. interests like a boomerang."

"This reckless course is of growing concern even among U.S. allies," the ministry said. "Retaliatory measures, while not necessarily reciprocal, will follow from our side."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also promised a response.

The United States added 29 people to its sanctions list in what is described as an effort to tighten restrictions previously imposed on Russia for its aggression in Ukraine.

The United States also announced first-time sanctions against Russia's biggest weapons exporter, Rosoboronexport, the Russian Aircraft Corporation, and other companies to comply with the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act.

Based on reporting by dpa, Reuters, and Interfax