Earlier today, Canadian national Nikolay Goltsev was sentenced to 40 months in prison by United States District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn. Goltsev was convicted for conspiring to commit export control violations by orchestrating a global procurement scheme for sanctioned Russian companies, including military entities. The electronic components he shipped were discovered in Russian weapons platforms and signals intelligence equipment seized in Ukraine.
The sentencing was announced by Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Merrick B. Garland, United States Attorney General; Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; William S. Walker, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations New York (HSI); James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's New York Field Office; and Jonathan Carson, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of Export Enforcement New York Field Office.
"Simply put, Russia cannot effectively manufacture advanced weapons without U.S. technology," stated United States Attorney Peace. "Today’s sentence goes a long way in preventing Russia’s access to U.S. electronics for use in the unlawful war against Ukraine."
Attorney General Garland emphasized accountability: "Today, Nikolay Goltsev joins the growing list of defendants held accountable for unlawfully procuring and profiting from the sale of U.S. technology to further Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine."
Assistant Attorney General Olsen highlighted the implications: "Goltsev’s sentence sends a strong message that those who break our laws and contribute to Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine will be held accountable."
Special Agent Walker reiterated HSI's commitment: "Nikolay Goltsev’s sentencing today sends a message to those seeking to bypass export control laws... HSI will do whatever it takes to prevent U.S. military technology from ending up on the Russian battlefield."
FBI Assistant Director Dennehy remarked on Goltsev's role: "Nikolay Goltsev served as a vehicle to reinforce Russia’s militant efforts against Ukraine through the distribution of electronics to sanctioned entities."
Department of Commerce EEO Special Agent Carson added: "Working with our law enforcement colleagues, the Office of Export Enforcement will continue to target networks that facilitate illicit shipments that support Russia’s war."
Goltsev utilized two Brooklyn companies—SH Brothers Inc. and SN Electronics Inc.—to illegally source and ship millions worth of dual-use electronics from U.S. manufacturers to sanctioned users in Russia. Some components were critical for precision-guided weapons systems used against Ukraine.
To execute this scheme, Goltsev collaborated with co-defendant Salimdzhon Nasriddinov and others, purchasing components under SH Brothers and SN Electronics' names before shipping them via intermediary front companies across countries like Turkey and China before reaching Russia.
Communications reveal Goltsev's understanding of export laws and his awareness that these components supported Russian activities against Ukraine.
In related proceedings, Kristina Puzyreva was sentenced last year for laundering proceeds from this scheme while Nasriddinov awaits sentencing.
This case involved coordination through various departments focused on preventing critical technology acquisitions by hostile nations following sanctions imposed due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The prosecution is managed by attorneys Artie McConnell and Ellen H. Sise alongside Trial Attorney Christopher M. Cook with asset recovery overseen by Laura Mantell.