With thousands of entities across multiple sanctions lists, verifying whether a Russian company is sanctioned requires checking multiple databases. This guide walks you through every step — from free public tools to professional-grade OSINT methods.
Why Sanctions Screening Matters
Dealing with a sanctioned entity — even unknowingly — can result in severe penalties: fines up to $20 million (OFAC), criminal prosecution, and reputational damage. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the number of sanctioned Russian entities has grown exponentially, making manual screening unreliable.
Step 1: Check the OFAC SDN List (United States)
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) maintains the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list. This is the most commonly referenced sanctions list globally.
- Go to sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov
- Enter the company's INN, name, or OGRN
- Review all results — partial name matches are common
OFAC includes not only directly sanctioned entities but also entities owned 50%+ by sanctioned persons (the "50% rule").
Step 2: Check the EU Sanctions Map
The European Union maintains its own consolidated sanctions list, which can differ significantly from OFAC.
- Visit sanctionsmap.eu
- Search by entity name or identifier
- Pay attention to the "Measures" column — some entities have asset freezes but not travel bans, and vice versa
Step 3: Check the UK Sanctions List
Post-Brexit, the UK maintains a separate sanctions regime. Search the OFSI Consolidated List at gov.uk/government/publications/financial-sanctions-consolidated-list-of-targets.
Step 4: Verify the Company in Russian Registries
Cross-reference sanctions data with actual corporate registration data from Russian public registries:
- EGRUL (egrul.nalog.ru) — official tax registry with INN, OGRN, directors, and founders
- SPARK / Rusprofile — aggregated corporate data including subsidiaries and affiliates
- Court records (kad.arbitr.ru) — check for litigation patterns
Use our free Russian Company Checker to instantly query 10+ databases with a single INN or OGRN.
Step 5: Check Beneficial Ownership (UBO) Chains
A company may not be directly sanctioned, but its ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) might be. Russian corporate structures often use chains of LLCs and offshore holdings to obscure ownership.
Key methods for UBO identification:
- Trace through EGRUL founder records
- Check Cyprus, BVI, and other offshore registries
- Cross-reference with leaked databases (Panama Papers, Pandora Papers)
Step 6: Continuous Monitoring
Sanctions lists are updated frequently — sometimes daily. A one-time check is insufficient for ongoing business relationships. Set up alerts or use a professional sanctions screening service that provides real-time updates.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Company recently changed its name or directors
- Complex ownership through multiple jurisdictions
- Known association with state-owned enterprises
- Operations in sanctioned sectors (energy, defense, finance)
- Directors or founders appearing on any sanctions list
Free Tools Summary
| Tool | What It Checks |
|---|---|
| OFAC SDN Search | US sanctions (SDN, sectoral) |
| EU Sanctions Map | EU asset freezes, travel bans |
| UK OFSI List | UK financial sanctions |
| [0x]INT Company Checker | EGRUL, courts, FSSP, 10+ databases |
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