Russian Citizen Arrested In US For Export Of Illegal Drone Technology To Russia

JAKARTA A Russian citizen living in Sarasota, Florida, was arrested on Monday, September 16 on charges of smuggling, money laundering, and illegal exports of technology that could be used in drone production to Russia. This was announced by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ).

The allegation said that following Russia's full invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Denis Postovoy, 44, illegally bought and exported microelectronic components with military applications that could be used in drone production to Russia, according to a statement on the DOJ website.

According to the indictment, the defendant illegally exported dual-use technology to Russia that could strengthen his ability to launch a war that was not provoked against Ukraine, US Prosecutor Matthew Graves said in a statement.

The Russian Embassy in the US stated through a Telegram messaging application that they were aware of Postovoy's arrest, but had not yet received an official notification from local law enforcement officials.

According to DOJ, Postovoy is suspected of operating through a network of companies in Russia and Hong Kong to buy components from US distributors and send them to Russia via intermediary destinations to hide the final destination of the shipment.