A New Jersey resident has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for his involvement in an international scheme to illegally procure ammunition and sensitive electronics for Russian military and intelligence agencies. Vadim Yermolenko, a dual U.S. and Russian national, received the sentence from United States District Judge Hector Gonzalez in Brooklyn federal court. In addition to prison time, Yermolenko was ordered to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $75,547. He pleaded guilty in November 2024 to conspiracy charges related to violating export controls, bank fraud, and defrauding the United States.
Authorities said Yermolenko participated in a global procurement and money laundering network that aimed to obtain restricted technology for Russia’s military operations. The case was announced by Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge at the FBI’s New York Field Office; Jonathan Carson of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement; and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge at IRS-Criminal Investigation New York.
“The defendant lied to banks, facilitated the illegal export of ammunition and sensitive technology, and evaded income taxes, all as part of a global procurement and money laundering network operated on behalf of the Russian government,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Today’s sentence should send a message to all who would consider abusing the financial system to commit crimes on behalf of foreign nations: This Office will find you, prosecute you, and, if you are convicted, seek a significant prison sentence.”
“Vadim Yermolenko violated several US laws while endeavoring to help the government of Russia acquire dual-use technology and weapons to bolster its military. Today's sentencing should signal to all those attempting to evade US sanctions that the US government will work tirelessly to prevent American manufactured goods from being illegally procured and used to advance the militaries of adversarial foreign governments. The FBI will continue to be unrelenting in our efforts to defend the homeland, identity those responsible, and bring them to justice,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.
“Through a sophisticated network of shell companies and bank accounts, Yermolenko laundered more than $12 million and purchased highly sensitive military equipment for Russia—aiding Russia’s military and intelligence agencies in violation of U.S. laws. Yermolenko’s greed and misplaced foreign allegiance created a potential threat to our national security, and law enforcement’s collaboration on this case ensures that our communities are safe from this potential vulnerability,” stated IRS-CI New York Special Agent in Charge Chavis.
Nocella also acknowledged assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and Estonian authorities.
Court documents allege that Yermolenko was linked with Serniya Engineering (Serniya) and Sertal LLC (Sertal), Moscow-based companies involved in creating shell entities worldwide—including within the United States—to hide connections with Russian end users seeking U.S.-origin equipment subject to export controls.
Investigators said that Yermolenko helped establish numerous shell companies and bank accounts across the U.S., through which more than $12 million flowed during the period covered by the indictment—funds not reported to tax authorities. These funds were used partly for purchasing advanced electronic components applicable in radar systems, surveillance equipment, military research projects—including nuclear or hypersonic weapons development—and quantum computing technologies.
In one incident described by prosecutors, money from one account controlled by Yermolenko was used for buying sniper bullets subject to export controls; these were intercepted by Estonian officials before reaching Russia.
Several other individuals were charged alongside Yermolenko as part of this investigation: Nikolaos Bogonikolos previously pleaded guilty on related counts and received a 15-month prison sentence; Alexey Brayman also pleaded guilty but is awaiting sentencing.
The prosecution was led by attorneys from both local federal offices’ National Security sections as well as support from various analysts formerly associated with these agencies.
