Washington, Dec 20 (IANS): The US has imposed sanctions on 18 Russian individuals and four entities, according to a statement issued by the US Department of Treasury.

The sanctions were in response to "Russia's continued disregard for international norms", said the statement on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the statement, 15 of 18 individuals are members of Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), whom the US accused of involving in "attempting to interfere in the 2016 US election, efforts to undermine international organisations through cyber-enabled means, and an assassination attempt in the UK".

The US also imposed sanctions on four entities and several individuals related to Russian efforts to interfere with political and electoral systems worldwide, said the statement.

All property and interests in property of these persons subject to or transiting US jurisdiction are blocked, and Americans are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them, according to the statement.

The Donald Trump-led US administration to date has sanctioned 272 Russia-related individuals and entities, said the Treasury Department.

The Russian government has long regarded the sanctions imposed by the United States illegal, vowing to respond accordingly.

The frequent sanctions, the growing US military presence in Eastern Europe along with the US decision of abandoning the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty have intensified ongoing tension in US-Russia relations.