A Canadian Russian admitted to exporting technology to Russia

A Canadian Russian woman has pleaded guilty to her role in a multi-million dollar scheme to ship electronics to Russia for military use in the war against Ukraine.

Kristina Puzyreva, who lives in Montreal, pleaded guilty in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, to one count of money laundering for helping to ship parts used in drones and guided missile systems in violation of export and sanctions laws. to a statement from US prosecutors on Monday.

Puzyreva, 32, her husband Nikolay Goltsev, 37, and Salimjon Nasriddinov, 52, were indicted last fall on charges of smuggling, conspiracy to violate sanctions and wire fraud.

Court filings allege Puzyreva, Goltsev and Nasriddinov worked with four unnamed associates living in Russia who worked for major electronics companies supplying components to the Russian military.

The cases against Goltsev and Nasriddinov are ongoing, authorities said on Monday.

The couple operated out of Montreal, records show

The indictment, released in November, alleges that Goltsev bought American electronic components for the Russian military while living in Canada.

U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace Puzyreva said “a key part of the plan was to evade sanctions and launder money from a scheme to ship drones and missile components to Russia that were later found on the battlefield in Ukraine.” .”

Puzyreva sold the business to Montreal-based Simatech Group Inc. through an electronics company that also acquired what is known as dual-purpose technology, which can be used for both civilian and military purposes.

He received more than 150 packages from American companies at an address in Canada over about five years, prosecutors said.

Court records show that Goltsev owned another Montreal-based company, Electronic Network, Inc., which was sanctioned by the US and Canadian governments. said that he worked as an account manager and purchasing coordinator in his company.

U.S. authorities said the scheme began in January 2022 and eventually involved more than 300 illegal shipments with an estimated street value of $10 million.

Some of the electronics were later found in helicopters, missiles, tanks and other Russian equipment seized in Ukraine, they added.