NYC Gazette

Nikolay Goltsev, a 38-year-old Canadian national from Montreal, has been sentenced to 40 months in prison for his role in a scheme that violated export control laws. Goltsev orchestrated a global procurement operation on behalf of sanctioned Russian entities, including military companies. Some of the electronic components he shipped were later discovered in Russian weapons and intelligence equipment seized in Ukraine.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated, "Today, 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." He emphasized the Justice Department's commitment to prosecuting those who violate U.S. export controls.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas highlighted the dangers posed by such violations: "When Russia, its supporters, and its military companies lie and scheme their way around sanctions, they do not just violate the law – they endanger our Ukrainian allies and the freedoms they are fighting to protect."

FBI Director Christopher Wray noted that Goltsev used intermediary front companies to conceal his activities: "Goltsev and his co-conspirators circumvented U.S. export control laws... The FBI is committed to working with our partners to investigate, disrupt, and hold accountable those who violate U.S. laws."

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen remarked on the significance of this case: "The Department of Justice will vigorously pursue those who procure the component parts that make Russia’s war machine tick."

Kevin J. Kurland from the Department of Commerce commented on Goltsev's motives: "Goltsev and his wife thought they would ‘get rich’ by running an illicit global procurement scheme... Instead, they got jail time."

U.S. Attorney Breon Peace stressed the importance of preventing access to critical 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."

Goltsev operated through two Brooklyn-based companies—SH Brothers Inc. and SN Electronics Inc.—to acquire millions worth of dual-use electronics from U.S. manufacturers for shipment to sanctioned Russian users. These components were found in Russian weaponry used against Ukraine.

In communications with co-defendants, Goltsev demonstrated knowledge of export control laws while arranging shipments through various countries like Turkey, Hong Kong, India, China, and UAE before reaching Russia.

Goltsev's wife Kristina Puzyreva was also involved; she received a 24-month sentence for conspiracy related to laundering proceeds from this scheme.

Authorities have seized approximately $1.68 million connected with these activities.

The investigation involved several agencies including BIS, HSI, FBI with assistance from U.S Customs & Border Protection along with DOJ’s Office Of International Affairs under coordination by Justice And Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force And Task Force KleptoCapture aimed at enforcing sanctions against Russia following its invasion into Ukraine since 2014.