Related Post
(Trends Wide) — Two US citizens were arrested in Kansas City on Thursday for allegedly sending US aviation technology to Russia, the Justice Department announced.
Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky, 59, and Douglas Robertson, 55, face various charges, including exporting controlled goods without a license, falsifying and failing to submit electronic export information, and smuggling of goods in violation of US law.
His arrest is the latest move by the Justice Department’s KleptoCapture Task Force, made up of federal prosecutors, investigators and analysts, which has worked for the past year to launch a global campaign against money laundering and sanctions evasion in support of to the Russian government. His work has resulted in more than 30 indictments against sanctioned supporters of the Kremlin and the Russian military, according to the Justice Department.
The two men’s US-based KanRus Trading Company sold and installed Western electronic equipment for aircraft, according to prosecutors, and allegedly sold equipment to Russian companies and provided repair services for Russian aircraft. To circumvent US sanctions, prosecutors say Buyanovsky and Robertson hid who their customers were, lied about the cost of the products and paid them through foreign bank accounts.
After Russia’s war in Ukraine began last year, the US government imposed additional sanctions on shipments to Russia. Buyanovsky and Robertson discussed their options for continuing to send shipments to at least one customer in Russia, prosecutors say, including sending shipments through third countries.
The Commerce Department flagged a shipment from KanRus in February 2022 because it did not have the proper license, according to the indictment.
Shortly thereafter, Robertson, who is a commercial pilot, allegedly told a Russian-based client that “things are tough in the US.” and that invoices had to be under $50,000 because otherwise there would be “more paperwork and visibility,” adding that “This is NOT the right time for either of us.” A shipment to that Russian customer was later forwarded via Laos, prosecutors say.
Buyanovsky’s and Robertson’s attorneys are not yet listed.
Trends Wide’s Jack Forrest contributed to this report.
