Nikolay Goltsev of Canada and Brooklyn resident Salimdzhon Nasriddinov procured components with weapons-grade applications for sanctioned Russian companies, that are arming Russia’s military in its war against Ukraine.
Some of the electronic components they managed to ship out of the U.S. were later recovered from Russian weapons platforms on the battlefield in Ukraine.
These include multi-purpose guided missiles, attack helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, battle tanks, and other hardware used for signals intelligence and reconnaissance purposes.
“The defendants shipped millions of dollars’ worth of electronic components to Russia, including the exact type of parts found in Russian weapons and drones used to attack Ukraine,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen. “We know the devastation and destruction that these weapons cause and the Justice Department is committed to holding accountable those who violate U.S. laws to supply the Russian war machine.”
To carry out their illegal operation, Goltsev and Nasriddinov purchased the components from U.S. manufacturers and then shipped them to third-party front companies abroad. These companies, which were spaced out across Turkey, Hong Kong, India, China, and the UAE, would then reroute the hardware to sanctioned entities in Russia.
According to court filings, the two oversaw hundreds of shipments valued at more than US$7 million.
“The defendants flouted U.S. law to help Russia in its war against Ukraine,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace. “This Office will take on and successfully neutralize the complicated procurement networks that are making it possible for Russia to continue its unprovoked war against Ukraine.”
Investigators noted that Goltsev and Nasriddinov were aware their merchandise was being linked to the Russian military’s operations against Ukraine. Intercepted communications from November 2022 showed that they conspired to break up their shipments into smaller loads so that it would be harder for authorities to properly identify them.
“For now large packages will be dangerous until we understand what they figured out,” Goltsev wrote. “We will need to think of diversifying the load…so that not everything is moving from the same deck.”
Goltsev was ultimately arrested in a New York hotel with $20,000 in cash on hand. Authorities said that they have so far seized assets worth roughly $1.68 million in connection with the illegal export scheme.
A third co-conspirator, Kristina Puzyreva, pleaded guilty in February 2024 to conspiracy to launder the operation’s ill-gotten gains. She is awaiting sentencing.
The two each face a potential maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
