As Russian artillery and soldiers barreled into Ukraine last week, a cross-office team of lawyers at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld was hunkered down to get an acquisition across the finish line in Mexico for Moscow-headquartered energy firm Lukoil.

The U.S. firm told Law.com International the deal closed on Feb. 24. That was the same day Russian armed forces launched an assault on Ukraine, which has since triggered mounting sanctions against Russian entities and individuals by the U.S. government and others.