Kristina Puzyreva, a resident of Montreal, has entered a guilty plea for charges related to money laundering in a federal courtroom in Brooklyn. The charges stem from her involvement in an illegal operation to transport electronic components to Russia, which were subsequently utilized by the Kremlin in the conflict in Ukraine.
Puzyreva was involved in a sophisticated operation that facilitated the acquisition and shipment of U.S.-manufactured dual-use components, valued at millions of dollars, to sanctioned entities in Russia through the operations of two companies based in Brooklyn, namely SH Brothers Inc. and SN Elecontrics Inc.
The seized Russian weapons in Ukraine, including drones and guided missiles, were found to contain the electronic components and integrated circuits, with a total worth exceeding $7 million.
Her husband, Nikolay Goltsev, also played a role in the scheme, receiving orders from Russian entities in the defense and technology sectors and communicating with U.S. manufacturers to procure the desired components. Another individual, Salimdzhon Nasriddinov, has also been charged in connection with the illegal procurement of weapons technology.
The illicit operation involved the use of aliases and the transportation of components to Russia through various countries and territories, including Turkey, Hong Kong, India, China, and the United Arab Emirates.
The conspiracy spanned from approximately January 2022 until the arrest of the individuals in October 2023. Puzyreva and Goltsev were apprehended at a Manhattan hotel during one of their frequent visits to the United States.
U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York emphasized Puzyreva’s significant role in the export scheme by laundering the proceeds of the illegal operation. Peace underlined the Eastern District of New York’s uncompromising stance against actions that threaten national security by supplying Russia with U.S.-sourced military technology.
In light of her guilty plea, Puzyreva faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for her involvement in the illegal export of weapons technology.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the severe repercussions of engaging in criminal activities that compromise national security and breach export controls. It also underscores the importance of robust measures to prevent the illegal transfer of sensitive military technology to foreign entities.
Puzyreva’s guilty plea underscores the dedication of law enforcement agencies to safeguard national security and hold individuals accountable for their participation in illicit schemes that pose a threat to global stability and peace.
+ There are no comments
Add yours