Three individuals have been apprehended in New York City on charges of illegally smuggling over $7 million worth of electronics to Russia in an effort to support the country's invasion of Ukraine, according to CNBC. Nikolay Goltsev, Salimdzhon Nasriddinov, and Kristina Puzyreva have been accused of evading sanctions and sending U.S.-origin electronics to Russia, specifically equipment used in precision-guided missile systems.

Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn assert that the defendants orchestrated the illicit shipment of hundreds of restricted items to Russia over the span of a year. Breon Peace, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, confirmed that some of the equipment sent has been used on the battlefield in Ukraine.

The arrests were made on Tuesday, with Nasriddinov, a Russian and Tajikistan dual national, apprehended in Brooklyn, where he resides. Goltsev, a dual Russian-Canadian citizen, aged 37, and Puzyreva, aged 32, who also holds dual citizenship, were arrested in Manhattan.

Based on the complaint filed, the defendants utilized two corporate entities to acquire dual-use electronics from U.S. manufacturers and distributors. They subsequently exported the items covertly to Russia. Certain electronic components and integrated circuits were highlighted as "of the highest concern" due to their vital role in the production of advanced Russian precision-guided weapons systems.

Prosecutors further alleged that Goltsev employed various aliases, including "Nick Stevens," during his procurement activities. The restricted items were initially sent to locations in Brooklyn before being shipped to intermediary corporations in Turkey, Hong Kong, India, China, and the United Arab Emirates. From there, the goods were rerouted to Russia.

According to prosecutors, the defendants were fully aware of the military applications of the smuggled electronics, as evidenced by messages exchanged between Goltsev and Nasriddinov. The complaint identifies four unnamed co-conspirators residing in Russia.

Prosecutors additionally point out that similar components were discovered in Russian weapons platforms and signals intelligence equipment seized in Ukraine. Notable equipment includes the Torn-MDM radio reconnaissance complex, the RB-301B "Borisoglebsk-2" electronic warfare complex, the Vitebsk L370 airborne counter missile system, Ka-52 helicopters, the Izdeliye 305E light multi-purpose guided missile, and Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles, alongside T-72B3 battle tanks.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division applauded the arrests, stating, "With these defendants in U.S. custody, we have disrupted a sophisticated procurement network allegedly used to procure critical technologies for the Russian military's advanced weapons systems."

The United States government implemented stricter export controls on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine last year. These measures aimed to restrict Russia's access to technology and other key resources. Prosecutors have requested the defendants be detained pending trial, citing concerns over potential flight risks.

The defendants face severe charges, reflecting the seriousness of their alleged actions and the impact on international security. Further investigation will shed more light on the extent of the smuggling network and collaborations involved in providing military capabilities to Russia during the conflict in Ukraine.