US hits Russian firms and people with more sanctions

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States imposed further Russia and Ukraine-related sanctions on Thursday, including on associates of a billionaire Russian gas trader, Crimean port operators, and former Ukrainian officials.

The Treasury Department imposed measures against eight entities and individuals it said were providing support to Gennady Timchenko, a prominent gas trader previously sanctioned over his alleged ties with the Kremlin. It also targeted two entities it said were providing support to Boris Rotenberg, a Russian businessman and ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The sanctions were imposed in response to Russia's actions in Ukraine.

(Editing by Lisa Lambert)