As per reports, an Estonian National named “Andrey Shevlyakov” was arrested on March 28, 2023, in Estonia, for buying U.S electronics on behalf of the Russian Military. The products included Radar components and other computer-hacking software.
According to the indictment and court filings, the convict was using some companies as a frontier for getting these shipments. The seizure of the shipments during the time of arrest was approximately 130 kgs of radio equipment.
The United States Attorney Breon Peace said, “As alleged, for more than a decade, the defendant has been acquiring sensitive electronics from U.S. manufacturers on behalf of the Russian government, in defiance of U.S. export controls.Our Office will not relent in its efforts to stop those who unlawfully procure U.S. technology for Russia or any other sanctioned countries, entities or individuals.”
The reports also stated that the Russian Defense contractors or the Military agents would have never gotten their hands on this equipment if they had ordered them directly.
Equipment like synthesizers, low-noise prescalers, and analog to digital converters is used in avionics, missiles, and electronic warfare systems. These can also respond to environmental conditions.
Further reports indicated that Shevlyakov exchanged messages with one of the Russian individuals in May 2020, with his company as its frontier.
The conversations had information about purchasing Computer hacking tools like Metasploit Pro, which Penetration testing professionals use. A Single license of Metasploit Pro would cost around $15,000.
To deliver this equipment to Russia, the convict was also running an intricate logistics operation to smuggle these to Russia. Shevlyakov had been doing these activities even after his company was banned from exporting items outside the US without a license.
The charges are pressed against Shevlyakov, and if convicted, he might face a 20-year imprisonment. The Office’s National Security and Cybercrime section is now handling this case.
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