SYDNEY, (Reuters) – The Australian government announced that it had imposed travel restrictions and sanctions on the two Russian-born daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s and Sergei Lavrov’s children. It made this statement in a Friday statement.

The Australian government has taken similar steps to protect Russian citizens, such as the United States.

Although it did not identify the daughters of Putin, the Russian president has two daughters known to be his: Katerina Tikhonova (or Maria Vorontsova). According to the statement, President Putin and Lavrov were both added to the sanction list on February 27.

In its statement, the Australian foreign ministry stated that the new round of sanctions targets the 144 Russian senators who supported President Putin in approving “illegitimate” recognition of the separatist regions of Donetsk (in eastern Ukraine) on February 22.

Marisa Payne (Foreign Minister) said Australia will increase its pressure on Russia, focusing on those who are responsible for Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked aggression towards Ukraine. Russia describes its invasion of Ukraine as a “special military action” meant to demilitarize and “denazify the country.

Australia placed targeted sanctions against 14 Russian state-owned companies last week. This includes defence related entities like Kamaz truckmaker and SEVMASH shipping company, as well as defense-related entities like Kamaz truckmaker and United Shipbuilding Corp.