Australia has sanctioned the Russian co-founder of a steel and mining company, Alexander Abramov.

The billionaire was initially listed as one of 67 Russian oligarchs sanctioned by Australia in April before he launched legal action against Foreign Minister Penny Wong, arguing the sanctions damaged his reputation.

A sanctions instrument was signed by the Foreign Minister last week but listed on the legislation register on Wednesday morning.

The sanctioning comes as Senator Wong met with her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. 

Mr Kuleba said he requested additional military assistance from Australia, including for Canberra to send more Bushmaster vehicles.

Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko has also requested further artillery support in the form of up to 12 howitzers and ammunition.

Senator Wong said she expressed Australia’s solidarity with Ukraine and admiration for the courage and sacrifice Ukrainians had shown.

“There is always more we can do and the government will continue to look at ways we can support them,” she told reporters in New York.

Her comments come as Russia paves the way for the formal annexation of seized Ukrainian territory after nearly seven months of war.

Russian-backed officials in several areas it partially controls have called for referendums on joining Russia, a move supported by Moscow.

By Dominic Giannini in Canberra, with Reuters

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