US to Transfer Nearly $500,000 in Confiscated Russian Funds for Ukraine: DOJ

This is the first time the United States transferred forfeited funds to a foreign ally to assist Ukraine.

A building heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike in central Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Jan. 17, 2024, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine. Yan Dobronosov/Reuters

The United States will transfer $500,000 of forfeited Russian wealth to repair electrical infrastructure in Ukraine damaged by invading Russian troops, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Feb. 17.

The Russian funds were confiscated by U.S. agencies last year after intercepting an illegal attempt to export to Russia an American-origin tool that has uses in the defense and nuclear sectors.