A Russian security official has been charged with smuggling ammunition and dual-use technology, including various electronic devices that aided the Kremlin’s war machine.
Vadim Konošcenok, 48, from Tallinn, was arrested in the Estonian capital and extradited to the United States on July 13.
He is accused of violating US export controls, economic sanctions and other laws by shipping goods from the US through Estonia to Russia. He used a front company called Stonebridge Resources, but the real actors in the operation are believed to be Moscow-based Sernia Engineering and Sertal LLC (Sernia Network).
These companies act under the direction of Russian intelligence to procure dual-use technology to support Russia’s research and development of nuclear and hypersonic weapons, quantum computing, and other military applications. It is believed that.
For more information on DOJ actions against suspected Russian criminals, see Russian Citizen Arrested in Connection with LockBit Ransomware.
Sernia Network companies were sanctioned by the Ministry of Finance in February 2022, described as “supporting the Russian Federation’s war machine”.
Mr. Konoschenok was stopped by Estonian authorities when he was about to enter Russia with about 35 types of semiconductors and electronic components, including items that the United States has restricted exports.
He also asked Estonian border officials to smuggle hundreds of thousands of U.S.-made rounds into Russia, including 6.5mm, 7mm, .338 and .308 Magnum rounds, which are commonly used by snipers as well as the military. has been stopped many times. Grade .223 rounds.
Court documents include information from electronic communications obtained by the U.S. government, in which Mr. Konoshchenok identifies himself as an FSB “Colonel” and is accompanied by a photo of himself in an FSB uniform. . Compensation for his work is said to have been 10% for licensed items.
A Justice Department indictment charged Mr. Konoshchenok with conspiracy and other charges related to a global procurement and money laundering network on behalf of the Russian government.
If convicted, he faces 30 years in prison.
