VISA rejected; perma-banned

I recently applied for a 3-year VISA, but I was rejected. It so turns out that I'm on a short list of permanently-banned US citizens.

I visited Russia in 2019/2020, but I didn't do anything wrong, so I have no idea why I'm on the list 🤷‍♂️

I contacted an immigration lawyer in Moscow, and they told me that there wasn't much I could do. I did send a letter to the ambassador several months ago, but I haven't heard back.

Any ideas? I'd like to be removed from this list . . . I have family in Russia that I'd like to visit sometime.