Vadim Konoshchenok, a 48-year-old suspected Russian intelligence officer, has pleaded not guilty to charges of money laundering and smuggling American-made electronics and ammunition to support Russia's war in Ukraine. Extradited from Estonia last week, Konoshchenok allegedly has connections to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).

U.S. Attorney Breon Peace stated that Konoshchenok played a key role in a scheme to supply sensitive American electronics and ammunition to advance Russia's war efforts and weapons development, violating U.S. export controls, sanctions, and other laws. He is being held without bail in a Brooklyn federal court.

Konoshchenok's arrest followed multiple interceptions by Estonian authorities. In October 2022, he was found carrying 35 semiconductors, thousands of 6.5mm bullets, and other electronic components. In November, he was again stopped attempting to enter Russia with approximately 20 cases of U.S.-made bullets, including tactical and .338 military sniper rounds. A subsequent search of Konoshchenok's warehouse in Estonia uncovered roughly 375 pounds of ammunition.

The Department of Justice reports that Konoshchenok repeatedly attempted to smuggle hundreds of thousands of American-made and export-controlled rounds into Russia, including ammunition commonly used by snipers and military-grade .223 rounds.

Konoshchenok and four alleged co-conspirators – Yevgeniy Grinin, Aleksey Ippolitov, Boris Livshits, and Svetlana Skvortsova – are linked to two Moscow-based companies, Serniya Engineering and Sertal LLC. These companies allegedly operate under the direction of Russian intelligence to acquire advanced electronics and testing equipment for the Kremlin's military-industrial complex. Authorities say both companies utilized a network of shell companies and bank accounts on behalf of the Russian government. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the U.S. government sanctioned Serniya, Sertal, Grinin, and other related companies.

Konoshchenok could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.