US Uncovers Russian Plot to Buy Nuclear Weapons Parts, Makes Multiple Arrests

A federal court in Brooklyn sentenced Vadim Yermolenko, a dual US-Russian citizen, to 30 months in prison for his role in a scheme supplying ammunition and dual-use technology to the Russian military and intelligence services. Yermolenko was also ordered to pay a $75,547 fine. He had pleaded guilty in November 2024, according to The Moscow Times report on August 20.

“Yermolenko lied to banks, facilitated the illegal export of ammunition and sensitive technology, and evaded income taxes, all as part of a global procurement and money laundering network operated on behalf of the Russian government,” said the prosecutor.

 “Today’s sentence should send a message to all who would consider abusing the financial system to commit crimes on behalf of foreign nations:  This Office will find you, prosecute you, and, if you are convicted, seek a significant prison sentence,” he continued.

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Investigators found that Yermolenko laundered over $12 million through a network of shell companies and accounts. He worked with Moscow-based firms Serniya Engineering and Sertal, which masked their connections to Russian military clients through global companies and bank accounts.

The firms illegally purchased US-controlled electronic components, as well as parts for nuclear and hypersonic weapons. In one case, sniper ammunition paid for through Yermolenko’s accounts was intercepted in Estonia before it could reach Russia.

The US Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on Serniya, Sertal, and affiliated individuals in February 2022. Co-conspirators have also faced justice: Nikolaos Bogonikolos received 15 months for fraud and export control violations; he founded and leads Aratos Group, which includes military and tech companies in the Netherlands and Greece.

Another participant, Aleksei Braiman, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the US government and awaits sentencing. Additionally, five Russian nationals—Evgeny Grinin, Aleksei Ippolitov, Boris Livshits, Svetlana Skvortsova, and Vadim Konoshchenko—have been charged in connection with the scheme.

Previously, it was reported that as Russia works to increase military production for its war in Ukraine, a state-owned explosives manufacturer bypassed Western sanctions by acquiring German-made Siemens equipment through a middleman importing technology from China.

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