Security News > 2022 > December > Seven smuggled US military tech for Moscow, say Feds

The US Department of Justice unsealed a 16-count indictment today accusing five Russians, an American citizen, and a lawful permanent US resident of smuggling export-controlled electronics and military ammunition out of the United States for the Russian government.

Alexey Brayman, the lawful permanent US resident; and Vadim Yermolenko, the US citizen, were both apprehended in the United States.

According to the DoJ, both firms exist "To procure advanced electronics and sophisticated testing equipment for Russia's military industrial complex and research and development sector." That is to say, the businesses would acquire American tech, under orders from Moscow, and funnel that equipment to Russia, it is claimed.

The pair at Sertal secured funding and planned shipping routes, while Livshits was charged with procuring items from US companies through a collection of shell companies registered in the New York City area, it is said.

Konoshchenok, the alleged FSB colonel, was based in Estonia and on more than one occasion was stopped at the Estonian-Russian border smuggling items into Russia.

"Our office will not rest in its vigorous pursuit of persons who unlawfully procure US technology to be used in furtherance of Russia's brutal war," said Breon Peace, US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2022/12/14/us_doj_disrupts_russian_smuggling/