Russia's Kalashnikov sends 'condolences' to sanction-struck US consumers

Sanctions against Russia over Ukraine may wipe out a deal Kalashnikov signed to deliver 80,000 to 200,000 guns a year for the next five years to the US. The conflict in Ukraine has left relations between Russia and the West at their worst since the Cold War.

Russian arms maker Kalashnikov on Tuesday expressed its sympathies to US consumers who cannot buy the company's famous weapons because of US sanctions over Ukraine.

US sanctions have struck some of Russia's most famous arms companies. And they may wipe out a deal Kalashnikov signed at the beginning of this year to deliver 80,000 to 200,000 guns a year for the next five years to the US.

"Kalashnikov regrets that consumers are faced with such a problem," said spokeswoman Yekaterina Boni. "The current situation shows once again that our weapons are very popular among Americans and the implementation of sanctions goes against their very own interests."

The conflict in Ukraine has left relations between Russia and the West at their worst since the Cold War.

Washington introduced rounds of sanctions against Russian individuals and companies and the European Union looks likely to follow suit after Malaysian airliner MH17 was downed over territory held by Russian-backed rebels in East Ukraine.