US arrests two individuals for illegal export of aviation technology to Russia

(Patria) - Two men in the US state of Kansas have been arrested on suspicion of illegally sending aviation technology to Russia, the BBC reported. Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky (59) and Douglas Robertson (55) were owners and operators of KanRus Trading Company.

The two conspired to circumvent US export laws to sell sophisticated aviation equipment to Russia, the US Department of Justice said. If convicted, they face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for exporting controlled goods without a license. They are also charged with conspiracy, falsification and failure to file electronic export information, and smuggling goods contrary to US laws.

Prosecutors said that the two had been attempting to evade US export laws since 2020, misrepresenting the value and final destination of shipments by routing them through third countries.

Between November 2020 and February 2021, they received avionics equipment for repair in the US, according to the Department of Justice, including a computer processor with a label for a Russian secret security agency.

Buyanovski and Robertson used a false invoice to identify Germany as the destination for the equipment, the Department of Justice said.

They are also accused of illegally sending aircraft equipment through Armenia and Cyprus to Russia without obtaining the necessary permits, it is stated.

The investigation was conducted by a unit of the Department of Justice dedicated to enforcing sanctions imposed on the Russian government following its invasion of Ukraine.