Australia and Japan on Friday increased the pressure on Russia by placing sanctions on individuals, banks and government organizations, writes DW.

Canberra imposed sanctions on Moscow’s Finance Ministry while adding 11 banks and government organizations, including the central bank, covering the majority of Russia’s banking assets along with all entities that handle its sovereign debt.

“With our recent inclusion of the Central Bank of Russia, Australia has now targeted all Russian government entities responsible for issuing and managing Russia"s sovereign debt”, - Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne said.

Japan, meanwhile, said it would impose sanctions against 15 individuals and nine organizations, including defense officials and state-owned arms and dual-use technologies exporter Rosoboronexport.