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On Wednesday January 8th, 2025, The United States Department of Justice has released a written statement (link for doj.gov report and statement) reporting that a Canadian resident was sentenced for a multi million dollar technology export scheme, which involved Ukraine and Russia.
Nikolay Goltsev, a 38-year-old resident of Montreal, Canada, has been sentenced to 40 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy involving major weapon technology, and export violations.
Goltsev orchestrated a worldwide operation where he acquired, then sold various U.S weapon technologies, that were illegally used for weapons in Russia, including military firms. His wife Kristina, was an associate and a part of this scheme.
Basically, Goltsev acquired certain, undisclosed U.S tech equipment, then smuggled and sold this equipment to Russia, including the Russian military.
This case involved a long, ongoing investigation that included the FBI, U.S Customs and Homeland Security .
Evidence revealed that some of the electronics he exported were later discovered in Russian military weapon technologie and surveillance equipment captured in Ukraine.”The items, the makes, models and part numbers of the electronic components are the same as those found in significant Russian military equipment.”(www.cbc.canada)
“According to court records, Goltsev and Nasriddinov got around (those) sanctions by using two front companies to purchase more than $7 million worth of electronics in the U.S., including microchips, transistors and circuits. They sent more than 250 shipments first to middle countries, including China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, to conceal the ultimate destination they’d be diverted to: Russian military suppliers.”(cbc)
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated that Goltsev is among many individuals that could be facing legal repercussions for illegally acquiring and selling U.S. technology, which directly contributes to Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The extensive scheme, worth millions, proved financially rewarding for Goltsev and others who were involved. Goltsev had a few partners that he was working with. According to the DOJ report, he expressed frustration to his wife and associate, Kristina Puzyreva about the demands placed on him, referencing creating numerous accounts for a substantial sum of money. Kristina Puzyreva replied saying that she was focused on money and profit.
Goltsev was arrested in a New York hotel room, authorities confiscated $20,000 in cash. Overall, around $1.68 million has been seized in relation to this export operation.Co-defendant and wife, Kristina Puzyreva received a 24-month prison sentence on July 24 for her involvement in laundering the proceeds of the scheme.
Meanwhile, a co-defendant Salimdzhon Nasriddinov remains pending sentencing.
The case is under investigation by the Bureau of Industry and Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the FBI. Assistance has been provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.
Prosecutors from the Eastern District of New York, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Artie McConnell, Ellen H. Sise, and Laura Mantell, along with Trial Attorney Christopher M. Cook from the National Security Division, are handling the case.This operation was coordinated through the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce, aiming to identify and counteract illicit activities that threaten supply chains and prevent critical technology from falling into authoritarian hands.
Additionally, the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture continues to enforce sanctions and export controls established in response to Russia’s unprovoked military actions in Ukraine, a concerted effort initiated in March 2022.
Link to more info and the Department of Justice Document
https://www.cbc.ca/news/investigates/canadian-caught-supplying-russia-weapons-parts-1.7262446
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