American man arrested in illegal export ring for Russian military tech

Sanctions have partially isolated Russia from Western electronics. Consequently, the Russian industry has to obtain various components illegally, but Western-manufactured elements can still be found in Russian weaponry. Recently, one of the organizers of this operation was arrested in the USA.

The American Department of Justice announced the arrest of Denis Postovoi, a Russian resident of Florida. He was apprehended for organizing an international network of firms that facilitated the shipment of electronic components essential for the production of combat drones to Russia.

According to American authorities, Denis Postovoi exported electronics from the USA to recipients in places like Hong Kong and Switzerland. In reality, these entities acted as intermediaries in transferring American electronics to Russia.

"The defendant illegally exported dual-use technology to Russia, potentially enhancing its war capabilities against Ukraine. [Postovoi] misrepresented the final destination of the technology he was exporting and used intermediate destinations to conceal the illegal activity," an American prosecutor stated.

The arrest of Postovoi sheds light on why American components have been found repeatedly in Russian weapons. Components from the USA were discovered, among other locations, in Iskander-K missiles. An analysis of Kh-101 cruise missiles revealed that Western—particularly American—parts are crucial for their proper function.

Western parts are also used in the production of Lancet loitering munitions, which have targeted weapons such as the Krab self-propelled howitzers supplied to Ukraine. Moreover, 75% of the Western parts identified in KN-23 ballistic missiles supplied to Russia by North Korea are American-made.