US arrests a Russian national for smuggling drone microelectronics to Russia
A Russian man has been arrested in the United States on charges of violating export restrictions, money laundering, and illegally supplying military-grade microelectronics to Russia. The U.S. Department of Justice reported on this.
It is noted that these components can be used to produce drones. According to the agency, 44-year-old Denis Postovoi lived in Sarasota, Florida, and since at least February 2022, he has been purchasing and illegally exporting microelectronics that can be used in unmanned aerial vehicles from the United States. According to the investigation, the suspect did this through a network of companies he owns or manages in Russia, Hong Kong, and other countries.
Russian Orlan-10 reconnaissance drones.
Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
"Beginning in at least February 2022, following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Postovoy procured and illicitly exported microelectronic components with military applications from the United States to Russia," the US Department of Justice stated. Postovoy's companies, WowCube HK Limited, JST Group Hong Kong, and Jove HK Limited, are all based in Hong Kong, while Vector Group was located in Russia. It is alleged that Postovoi provided false information in export documents and shipped microelectronics to Russia through other countries, including Hong Kong and Switzerland.
The defendant and individuals in his network purchased microelectronics from U.S. distributors and exported them to Russia without the necessary licenses from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Postovoi reportedly transshipped the goods, which were ultimately destined for the Russian Federation, through intermediate destinations, including Hong Kong and Switzerland, and received payments in U.S. dollars from foreign bank accounts.
His companies transferred funds for the purchase and shipment of goods through bank accounts in Hong Kong, Russia, and other countries to bank accounts in the United States.
A court hearing on Postovoy's detention will be held on September 19, Radio Liberty reports.
OLED microdisplay.
Images from open sources
The United States recently sentenced 52-year-old Russian Maksim Marchenko to three years in prison for smuggling dual-use American electronics into Russia.