Russian-Canadian National Pleads Guilty in U.S. Court for Illicit Supply of Military Electronics to Russia

A Russian-Canadian dual national residing in Montreal, Nikolay Goltsev, has pleaded guilty alongside his co-accused, Russian-Tajik Ralimdzhon Nasriddinov, residing in Brooklyn, New York, for their involvement in a scheme to illegally supply Russian military entities with over $7 million worth of electronic components. This plea was entered in a U.S. federal court, where the defendants admitted to conspiring to violate export control laws.

The case revolves around their use of two front companies to circumvent sanctions imposed by Western countries, including the U.S. and Canada, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. These sanctions restricted the export of microelectronics that could be used in military applications such as drones and missiles.

According to court records, Goltsev and Nasriddinov purchased items like microchips and transistors from U.S. suppliers, which were then routed through intermediary countries like China, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates before reaching Russian military suppliers. This complex procurement scheme involved false declarations and the use of aliases to conceal the true nature and destination of the shipments.

The electronic components involved were crucial for advanced Russian military equipment, including drones, battle tanks, helicopters, and missiles. This has raised significant concerns among U.S. officials about the role these components play in supporting Russia’s military operations, particularly in Ukraine.

Goltsev’s wife, Kristina Puzyreva, also pleaded guilty to charges related to money laundering connected with the scheme. The legal proceedings have shed light on the extensive efforts made by the defendants to profit from supplying prohibited goods to entities contributing to Russia’s military capabilities.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has emphasized the seriousness of the violations, highlighting the direct implications of such actions in ongoing war. The defendants' activities were closely monitored by U.S. authorities, leading to their arrest in late 2023.