Media reports say a Brooklyn man and a Montreal couple were charged on October 31 in New York with scheming to violate U.S. sanctions by exporting millions of dollars of technology to Russia, including electronics supporting the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine.
Citing the US Department of Justice, Reuters says Salimdzhon Nasriddinov, 52; Nikolay Goltsev, 37, and Kristina Puzyreva, 32, were each charged with smuggling, conspiracy to violate sanctions and wire fraud conspiracy.
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn reportedly accused Nikolay Goltsev, Salimdzhon Nasriddinov, and Kristina Puzyreva of evading sanctions in order to send Russia equipment used in their precision-guided missile systems.
Medium.com says Nasriddinov, who is a resident of Brooklyn and holds dual citizenship in Russia and Tajikistan, was taken into custody, while Goltsev and Puzyreva were detained at a Manhattan hotel during their New York visit to meet Nasriddinov.
The trio allegedly utilized two Brooklyn-based corporations, SH Brothers Inc. and SN Electronics Inc., to execute their operations. The companies are reportedly accused of unlawfully procuring and shipping electronics, worth millions, from U.S. suppliers to blacklisted Russian recipients.
The US Department of Justice says Nasriddinov and Goltsev purchased electronic components from U.S. manufacturers and distributors under the auspices of SH Brothers and SN Electronics, and arranged for the items to be sent to various locations in Brooklyn. Nasriddinov and Goltsev then unlawfully shipped the items to a variety of intermediary corporations located in other countries, including Turkiye, Hong Kong, India, China and the United Arab Emirates, where they were rerouted to Russia.
Puzyreva operated numerous bank accounts and conducted financial transactions in furtherance of the scheme.
The US Department of Commerce voiced concerns over the items, noting their role in the creation of advanced Russian precision weaponry. These components, specifically from SH Brothers, have reportedly been found in Russian military equipment in Ukraine, including but not limited to the Torn-MDM radio reconnaissance complex and T-72B3 battle tanks.
Medium.com notes that throughout the period detailed in the complaint, SH Brothers exported shipments valued at over US$7 million to Russia.
Goltsev, who communicated using aliases, reportedly received product requests from Russian defense and tech sectors. He, alongside Nasriddinov, sourced these electronics under the guise of their Brooklyn-based entities and subsequently shipped them to intermediary corporations in various countries before their final destination in Russia.
Puzyreva reportedly managed several bank accounts to facilitate financial transactions associated with the scheme.
Media reports note that communications between the defendants suggest an awareness of the military use of their exported electronics. In one exchange, they reportedly discuss a detained shipment at JFK Airport and express the need for diversified shipping methods to avoid detection.
Nasriddinov’s message to Goltsev on February 23, 2023, which celebrates those serving in the military in Russia, insinuates their indirect contribution to the Russian armed forces.
The actions were coordinated with multiple state and federal entities, including the Justice and Commerce Department’s Disruptive Technology Strike Force and the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture.
Global News says prosecutors want the defendants jailed pending trial, saying they pose a “serious flight risk” and have significant foreign ties.
