Vadim Yermolenko, a dual U.S.-Russian national residing in New Jersey, has pleaded guilty to charges related to aiding Russia's defense sector in evading U.S. export controls. The charges include conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, commit bank fraud, and defraud the United States.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated, "This defendant joins the nearly two dozen other criminals that our Task Force KleptoCapture has brought to justice in American courtrooms over the past two and a half years for enabling Russia’s military aggression." He added that Yermolenko played a central role in smuggling sniper rifle ammunition and U.S. military-grade equipment into Russia.
FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized the threat posed by illegal exports of sensitive technologies, saying, "The illegal export of sensitive, dual-use technologies in support of Russia’s war effort poses a significant threat to the United States and its allies and must not be tolerated."
U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York highlighted Yermolenko's involvement in facilitating these exports through financial channels. "To facilitate the Russian war machine, the defendant played a critical role in exporting sensitive, dual-use technologies to Russia," Peace said.
Court documents revealed Yermolenko's affiliation with Moscow-based companies Serniya Engineering and Sertal LLC, which operate under Russian intelligence services' direction. These companies were involved in procuring advanced electronics for Russia’s military industrial complex.
The scheme involved purchasing highly sensitive electronic components used for military applications like nuclear weapons development. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, sanctions were imposed on entities involved in this network.
Sertal was licensed by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) for classified procurement activities. The network's clients included several Russian state agencies such as Rostec and Rosatom.
Yermolenko helped establish shell companies and bank accounts to move money and goods illicitly. Over $12 million passed through these accounts during the indictment period.
Co-defendant Alexey Brayman has also pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing. Other co-defendants face various legal statuses or remain at large.
The FBI is leading investigations with assistance from BIS and IRS among others. The case is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Artie McConnell, Andrew D. Reich, Matthew Skurnik along with Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee.
These actions are part of broader efforts by Task Force KleptoCapture and Disruptive Technology Strike Force to enforce sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.