REUTERS
The US has published a list of 114 Russian politicians and 96 oligarchs, some close to the president, as part of a sanctions law aimed at punishing Russia for meddling in the US election.
The US stressed those named had not been hit with new sanctions, although some have already been targeted.
Congress passed the sanctions law in August. President Donald Trump signed it while making his reservations clear.
The Kremlin said the list could damage the reputation of those named.
Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who is himself on the list, accepted that it was not one of sanctions but added: "Publication of such a wide list of everything and everyone could potentially damage the image and reputation of our firms, our businessmen, our politicians and of members of the leadership."
In other Russian reaction:
- State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said such measures would only "lead to a greater consolidation" of Russian society
- The ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, said sanctions were a "road to nowhere" and would not intimidate his country
- Lawmaker Vladimir Dzhabarov said the inclusion of almost the entire leadership of the country was a de facto severing of relations
Informally known as the "Putin list", those named by the US Treasury include 42 aides of President Vladimir Putin and cabinet ministers such as Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, along with top spy agency and business officials.
Among the high-profile oligarchs named are Roman Abramovich, Oleg Deripaska and Alisher Usmanov.
PA/EPA
Under the US law, the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (Caatsa), the list had to be delivered by Monday and it was released about 10 minutes before midnight.
Analysts say the timing reflects Mr Trump's coolness towards the law and his opposition to the need to punish more Russians with sanctions.
The US Treasury document itself stresses: "It is not a sanctions list, and the inclusion of individuals or entities... does not and in no way should be interpreted to impose sanctions on those individuals or entities."
The BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Moscow says the list does not tell us anything we did not already know but for those on it not already under sanctions, there could be a worry that they may be targeted in the future.
Earlier in the day, the US government argued the Caatsa law had already pushed governments around the world to cancel deals with Russia worth billions, suggesting that more sanctions were not required.
"From that perspective, if the law is working, sanctions on specific entities or individuals will not need to be imposed because the legislation is, in fact, serving as a deterrent," state department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.
The Caatsa had infuriated Moscow. Mr Medvedev said at the time it meant the US had declared a "full-scale trade war" on Russia.
In signing the act, Mr Trump attached a statement calling the measure "deeply flawed".
"As president, I can make far better deals with foreign countries than Congress," he said.
The Caatsa also reflected Congress's anger at Russia's annexation of Crimea.
The Treasury says it has continued to maintain pressure on Russia on this issue.
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