Oleg Chistyakov, 55, of Latvia also goes by Olegs Čitsjakovs. He is accused of helping two citizens of the United States to smuggle aviation technology to Russia.
Christyakov allegedly conspired with Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky, 60, of Lawrence, Kansas, USA and Douglas Edward Robertson, 56, of Olathe, Kansas to facilitate the sale, repair and shipment of U.S. avionics equipment to customers in Russia and in other countries that operate aircraft built in Russia, including the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB). Buyanovsky and Roberston allegedly committed the crimes through KanRus Trading Company, a business they owned and operated.
After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. government imposed additional exporting policies on Russia. Despite the policies, Buyanovsky and Roberston allegedly continued exporting the technology to Russia.
Buyanovsky and Roberston allegedly lied to U.S. suppliers about who was receiving the equipment. Operating from Latvia, Chistyakov allegedly acted as a broker for KanRus Trading Companny.
In December 2023, Buyanovsky pleaded guilty to conspiracy and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He consented to a $50,000 personal forfeiture judgment and the forfeiture of avionics equipment worth more than $450,000.
On March 19, 2024, Christyakov was arrested near Riga, Latvia. He remains detained pending extradition proceedings. He was charged with conspiracy to commit international money laundering, two counts of international money laundering, two counts of violation of Export Control Reform Act and multiple counts of smuggling goods from the U.S.
CONAN Daily 