[afavour]

But this is pretty much the exact logic sanctions work by. Putin and his cronies might lose some super yachts but the main aim is to crash the Russian economy, which will hurt everyday Russians far more than any leader. Not that I have any better ideas, but you could argue this move is in a similar vein.

[jonny_eh]

The sanctions also choke the state's military of funding.

[_-david-_]

Sanctions lower taxes which hurt the government funding. It may or may not be effective but they are not remotely the same.