U.S. Attorney Breon S. Peace | U.S. Department of Justice
Earlier today, Nikolay Goltsev, a Canadian national, was sentenced to 40 months in prison by United States District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn. Goltsev was found guilty of 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 seized Russian weapons platforms and signals intelligence equipment 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation's New York Field Office (FBI); and Jonathan Carson, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of Export Enforcement's New York Field Office (EEO).
“Simply put, Russia cannot effectively manufacture advanced weapons without U.S. technology. Today’s sentence goes a long way in preventing Russia’s access to U.S. electronics for use in the unlawful war against Ukraine,” stated United States Attorney Peace.
Attorney General Garland remarked that "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 added that “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.”
HSI New York Special Agent Walker emphasized their commitment to stopping illegal exports: “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 noted that “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 reiterated their focus on disrupting illicit networks: “Working with our law enforcement colleagues... Today’s sentencing is just the latest example of our resolute efforts.”
Goltsev used two Brooklyn-based companies—SH Brothers Inc. and SN Electronics Inc.—to illegally source millions worth of dual-use electronics from U.S manufacturers for sanctioned end users in Russia. These components were critical for precision-guided weapons systems used against Ukraine.
Alongside co-defendant Salimdzhon Nasriddinov and others, Goltsev arranged shipments from manufacturers to intermediary front companies located internationally before rerouting them to Russia. His wife Kristina Puzyreva laundered funds related to this scheme.
Communications revealed that Goltsev had an understanding of export control laws and knowingly sent components intended for use against Ukraine.
The government seized $20,000 cash during his arrest and approximately $1.68 million related to this scheme overall.
Co-defendant Kristina Puzyreva received a 24-month sentence previously while Salimdzhon Nasriddinov awaits sentencing.
This case involved coordination between various departments including Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force along with Task Force KleptoCapture focusing on enforcing sanctions against Russia following its invasion into Ukraine.
Prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Artie McConnell & Ellen H Sise alongside Trial Attorney Christopher M Cook supported by Paralegal Specialist Mary Clare McMahon with forfeiture matters handled by Assistant US Attorney Laura Mantell.
