Montreal man pleads guilty to exporting weapons components for Russian invasion of Ukraine
A Montreal man has pleaded guilty in the U.S. for his role in sending millions of dollars worth of electronics that were used by the Russian military for its invasion of Ukraine.
Nikolay Goltsev, 38, of Montreal, and Salimdzhon Nasriddinov, 53, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit export control violations in federal court in New York. The offence carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
The electronic components were sent to sanctioned companies in Russia, including Russian military companies, and found in drones and missiles "used to attack Ukraine," according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
"As Russia continues to wage its unjust war of aggression against Ukraine, the Department remains committed to holding accountable those who fuel Putin’s war machine," said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in a statement on Tuesday.
Goltsev's wife, 32-year-old Kristina Puzyreva, was also part of the same scheme and pleaded guilty last February to money laundering conspiracy in federal court in Brooklyn.
The justice department said the trio helped smuggle more than $7 million worth of "dual use" components, which have both civilian and military uses, to the Kremlin using two Brooklyn front companies, SH Brothers Inc. and SN Electronics Inc. Some of the electronics were found in weapons, including the Izdeliye 305E light multi-purpose guided missile, the Vitebsk L370 airborne counter missile system, Ka-52 helicopters, Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and T-72B3 battle tanks, the justice department said.
A Russian Ka-52 helicopter gunship is seen in the field after a forced landing Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. As described in the complaint and other court filings, some of the electronic components and integrated circuits with the same make, model and part number allegedly shipped by the defendants through SH Brothers have been found in seized Russian weapons platforms and signals intelligence equipment in Ukraine, including KA-52 helicopters. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
The defendants knew what the electronics were meant for and where they were going. According to messages exchanged in November 2022 — nine months into the war — they had discussed a shipment that was being held up at JFK airport in New York.
Goltsev responded by writing, "we need to figure out why they keep holding the package . . . I don’t really understand how they figured [it] out." He also later wrote: "in the future we will need to load from several companies, not to attract attention . . . for now large packages will be dangerous until we understand what they figured out . . . we will need to think of diversifying the load . . . so that not everything is not moving from the same deck."
In a subsequent message, Nasriddinov wrote to Goltsev: "Happy Defender of the Fatherland," in reference to the Russian holiday celebrating those who served in the armed forces. The Montrealer responded by writing, "happy holiday to you too my friend, we are defending it in the way that we can [smile emoji]."
Goltsev and his wife were arrested on Oct. 31, 2023 in a Manhattan hotel room. Police seized $20,000 from the room during their arrest and have seized US$1.68 million in connection with the export scheme.
"The defendants flouted U.S. law to help Russia in its war against Ukraine, but they were stopped in their tracks and swiftly brought to justice," said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York in a statement. "Today’s guilty pleas reflect that that 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."
Goltsev and Nasriddinov are scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 10 and Dec. 11, respectively. Puzyreva will be sentenced at another date to be announced.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Major Canadian rental company warns tenants that hackers may have their banking info
One of western Canada’s largest rental property companies is warning tenants about a cyber security breach it says was discovered earlier this year.
Industry, workers await labour board decision in railway dispute
The future of an unprecedented Canada railway stoppage hinged on a decision expected Saturday from a federal labour board amid an ongoing, bitter contract dispute between the country's two largest railway companies and the Teamsters union representing thousands of their workers.
RCMP find 'extremely dangerous' suspect in stabbing near Westlock
RCMP in Westlock, Alta., have apprehended a suspect in a daytime stabbing near Westlock, Alta., prompting a province-wide emergency alert.
What a Kamala Harris presidency means for Canada
They say a week is a lifetime in politics, but wow — what a month. Leaving the RNC in Milwaukee just weeks ago, it felt like the U.S. election was Donald Trump's to lose. After the last four days in Chicago, I don’t think anyone can say what will happen with any certainty.
As Newfoundlanders say goodbye to a daily print paper, some worry culture will suffer
The final edition of The Telegram newspaper’s daily print hit the stands in St. John's, N.L., on Saturday, marking the end of a 145-year run and a move to weekly print version with daily stories online.
Canadian hits all the right notes to win 2024 Air Guitar World Champion
Performers at this year's Air Guitar World Championships in Finland tuned up Friday at the Olympics of air guitar for the 27th time, featuring dedicated competitors like "Shred Lasso” and “Guitarantula.”
Moscow and Kyiv swap prisoners of war as Ukraine marks independence anniversary
Russia and Ukraine exchanged over 100 prisoners of war each on Saturday as Kyiv marked its third Independence Day since Moscow's full-scale invasion.
Is extra protection worth the additional cost of car rental insurance? Here's how to decide
There could be some limitations to solely relying on credit card and personal auto insurance policies to cover rental car insurance.
Former MMA fighter Ronda Rousey apologizes for posting Sandy Hook conspiracy online 11 years ago
Former MMA fighter and professional wrestler Ronda Rousey has issued an online apology, which she admits is '11 years too late,' for reposting a conspiracy video about the deadly 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting on social media.