Three arrested in U.S. and charged with smuggling military technology to Russia

Three people have been arrested in New York City and charged with sending about 10 million dollars’ worth of electronics with military applications to Russia, said the U.S. Justice Department. Some of these components were later found in Russian military equipment used in the war in Ukraine, such as drones, missiles, and tanks.

Brooklyn resident Salimdzhon Nasriddinov, a dual citizen of Russia and Tajikistan, along with Nikolay Goltsev and Kristina Puzyreva, a married couple who hold Russian and Canadian citizenship, are accused of violating sanctions against Russia. According to the investigation, they used intermediary companies in Turkey, Hong Kong, India, China, and the UAE to send goods purchased in the U.S. to Russia.

Thousands of semiconductors and other electronics were seized from Nasriddinov’s home at the time of his arrest. Goltsev and Puzyreva were carrying $20,000 in cash when they were apprehended at a Manhattan hotel shortly before a planned visit to Nasriddinov.

Federal prosecutors say the three knew the electronics were being used in a military capacity, alleging Goltsev received orders directly from Russian defense companies. Additionally, messages exchanged between Nasriddinov and Goltsev show the former wishing Goltsev a happy Defender of the Fatherland Day, with Goltsev responding, “We’re defending it as best we can.”