FORMER KANSAS AVIATION EXECUTIVE AND LATVIAN BROKER SENTENCED FOR ILLEGALLY EXPORTING AVIONICS EQUIPMENT TO RUSSIA

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A former executive of a Kansas-based avionics company and a Latvian broker have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a scheme that illegally exported controlled U.S. aviation technology to Russian end users in violation of federal export laws.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas, Douglas Edward Robertson, 58, of Olathe, Kansas, was sentenced to 32 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to export control and money laundering violations. Robertson previously served as vice president of KanRus Trading Company Inc., a business involved in the sale and distribution of aviation equipment.

Federal prosecutors stated that after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the United States imposed expanded export restrictions designed to limit Russia’s access to sensitive technologies, including advanced aviation and aerospace components. Despite those restrictions, Robertson and his co-conspirators continued purchasing, selling, and exporting controlled avionics equipment to customers in Russia without obtaining the required licenses from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Investigators determined that the scheme involved misrepresenting the value of exports, concealing the identities of end users, and disguising the ultimate destinations of shipments in an effort to evade U.S. export controls. Robertson was arrested in March 2023 following a federal investigation into the illegal export operation.

Also sentenced was Oleg Chistyakov, also known as Olegs Čitsjakovs, 56, of the Republic of Latvia. Chistyakov served as a broker for KanRus Trading Company and was sentenced to 28 months in prison after pleading guilty to his role in the conspiracy.

Federal authorities said the defendants facilitated the movement of sophisticated avionics equipment despite restrictions intended to prevent sensitive American technology from reaching Russian entities.

A third defendant, Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky, 63, of Lawrence, Kansas, remains awaiting sentencing. Buyanovsky, the former president and owner of KanRus Trading Company, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and money laundering charges. Court records indicate that he also agreed to forfeit more than $450,000 in avionics equipment and accessories along with a $50,000 personal forfeiture judgment.

Export control laws are a critical component of U.S. national security policy and are designed to prevent sensitive technologies from being transferred to foreign adversaries, sanctioned entities, and restricted end users. Violations of those laws can carry significant criminal penalties, particularly when controlled technology is destined for countries subject to heightened sanctions and trade restrictions.

“The U.S. changed trade restrictions with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine for a reason. These defendants put money over country and considered themselves more clever than Customs officials. They thought they could circumvent the restrictions without being detected, but they were wrong,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Smugglers can’t fly under the radar without federal investigators ultimately uncovering their criminal activities.”

“The sentencing marks another milestone in the government’s successful effort to hold those accountable who conspire to circumvent and bypass U.S. regulations. The individuals in this case conspired to illegally purchase, sell and export sophisticated aviation equipment to Russia. Robertson’s fraudulent actions were willful and substantial. The sentencing should provide assurance to the public: the FBI will investigate and arrest those who wish to violate our nation’s laws,” said Chris Ormerod, FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement. Latvian authorities assisted with the investigation, while U.S. Customs and Border Protection provided additional support.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Rask and Ryan Huschka for the District of Kansas, along with Adam Barry, a former trial attorney with the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also assisted in the prosecution.

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