Estonian Busted for Helping Russia

An Estonian national was charged in the US with conspiracy and other charges related to acquiring U.S.-made electronics on behalf of the Russian government and military.

The defendant, named Andrey Shevlyyakov, was arrested in Estonia last month. He used several Estonian-based business entities to buy goods that would have been unavailable to Russian end-users. He also attempted to acquire hacking tools.

He purchased items, including low-noise pre-scalers and synthesizers and analog-to-digital converters, which are components used in defense systems such as electronic warfare systems and missiles.

Shevlyakov was added to the ban list by the US for procuring and delivering export-restricted items to Russia. He used false names and a network of front companies to deliver the purchased goods. He ran a logistics operation involving frequent smuggling trips across the Russian border by himself and others.

In May 2020, he used one of his front companies to buy a licensed copy of the penetration testing platform Metasploit Pro. The Estonian man exported at least $800,000 worth of items from U.S. electronics manufacturers and distributors between approximately October 2012 and January 2022.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment.