Leonid Pasechnik is the “Minister of State Security” of the so-called  “LPR.”  He has been involved in a number of corruption schemes related to the smuggling of contraband between the LPR and Russia, to include arms, coal, fuel, and other related material.  Pasechnik is being designated for being responsible for or complicit in, or having engaged in, directly or indirectly, actions or policies that threaten the peace, security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of Ukraine; asserting governmental authority over any part or region of Ukraine without the authorization of the Government of Ukraine; and acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the LPR.