Russian arrested in Florida for smuggling US parts for Putin's drones

A Russian man has been arrested in Florida on suspicion of smuggling US parts for the production of President Vladimir Putin's drones, which are being used in the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Denis Postovoy, a 44-year-old Russian citizen, was arrested in Sarasota on Monday morning. He is accused of violating export restrictions, money laundering, fraud and illegally supplying Russia with dual-use and military microelectronics from US and foreign distributors, the US Department of Justice said.

According to court documents, since at least February 2022 – when Putin launched his large-scale invasion of Ukraine – Postovoy has been sourcing military-grade microelectronic components that can be used in drones from the United States and illegally exporting them to Russia.

Both Russia and Ukraine have made extensive use of drones in the ongoing war, now in its third year.

Postovoy and others in his network are alleged to have purchased the goods through a network of companies he owned or operated in Russia, Hong Kong and elsewhere and exported the microelectronics to Russia without applying for or obtaining the necessary licenses from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

“Postovoy has repeatedly concealed and misrepresented the true end users and final destinations of the microelectronics by providing false information in the export documents,” the ministry said.

The U.S. parts were allegedly shipped to Russia via intermediate destinations such as Hong Kong, Switzerland, Estonia and other locations, and Postovoy received payments in U.S. dollars from foreign bank accounts.

The case is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security.

Newsweek The Russian Foreign Ministry asked for comment via email.

The Russian embassy in Washington said in a statement on Tuesday that while it was “aware of Postovoy's detention in Florida, there had been no official notification from local authorities,” the Russian state news agency and broadcaster Sputnik reported.

“We have asked the Foreign Ministry to provide information on Postovoy's whereabouts,” the embassy said. Russian diplomats intend to contact Postovoy to ensure that he receives the necessary consular and legal assistance.

Postovoy's first hearing is scheduled for September 19 in Tampa, Florida, Sputnik reported.

Separately, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Boston said Monday that two men – Sam Bhambhani, 55, of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, and Maxim Teslenko, 35, of Moscow, Russia – were accused of selling laser equipment to the Russian nuclear industry. Both were charged with illegal smuggling and conspiracy to violate and evade export controls.

“These two men are accused of helping Russia illegally acquire state-of-the-art American-made laser welding equipment to support that hostile nation-state's nuclear program,” Jodi Cohen, special agent in charge of the FBI's Boston Division, said in a statement.

“This is another blatant example of Russia using illicit procurement networks to advance its goals to the detriment of our country's national security.”

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