A Kyrgyz citizen, Sergei Zharnovnikov, has pleaded guilty in a New York federal court to illegally exporting U.S.-made firearms to Russia, violating U.S. law. The defendant, owner of a Bishkek-based arms company, admitted to re-exporting over $1.3 million worth of military-grade firearms, including semi-automatic rifles, to Russia through Kyrgyzstan, despite a Department of Commerce export ban. The case highlights enforcement of U.S. sanctions against Russia and the risk of illicit arms trafficking.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella for the Eastern District of New York stated that the guilty plea is the culmination of extensive investigative work, showing that the U.S. government will not allow merchants of lethal weapons and Russia to flout U.S. sanctions. Zharnovnikov conspired to export U.S. firearms to Russia starting in March 2020, signing a $900,000 contract with a U.S. company to send weapons to Kyrgyzstan using a Department of Commerce export license that specifically banned re-export to Russia. Despite the restriction, he allegedly sent semi-automatic hybrid rifle-pistols to Russia via Kyrgyzstan without proper permits. Shipping records show the weapons left JFK Airport in July 2022 and were later listed on a Russian tax form by November.
The case has significant financial implications, as the estimated value of the illicit trade exceeds $1.5 million in contraband weapons, raising concerns about the broader impact on U.S. foreign policy and national security. The U.S. government has been actively combating the flow of weapons to Russia through various means, including legal actions like this one and enhanced monitoring of international arms trade. Zharnovnikov could face up to 20 years in prison upon sentencing, reflecting the severity of the violation and the U.S. government’s stance on sanctions enforcement. This case also serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with international trade in military equipment, especially when it comes to circumventing export controls and violating U.S. law.