A Kansas business leader has confessed to unlawfully shipping sensitive American aviation technology to Russian entities, violating stringent U.S. sanctions.
Douglas Edward Robertson, residing in Olathe, a Kansas City suburb, became the second local executive to plead guilty to charges related to smuggling, money laundering, and violating U.S. export laws. His plea, entered before U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree in Kansas City, marks a significant development in the case, with sentencing scheduled for October 3rd. Robertson faces a potential 20-year prison term for money laundering or export violation convictions.
Beginning in October 2020, Robertson and his associates orchestrated a scheme to sell advanced electronics, including threat detection systems and flight control mechanisms, to Russian aircraft distributors and service providers. They attempted to conceal their illicit activities using offshore companies and bank accounts in various countries, including Armenia, Cyprus, and the United Arab Emirates.
"Profiting from the illegal sale of sophisticated U.S. technology to adversaries jeopardizes our national security," stated Robert Wells, Executive Assistant Director of the FBI's National Security Branch.
Robertson, a licensed pilot, partnered with Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky, an aviation engineer from Lawrence, in operating KanRus Trading Co. Their collaboration involved Oleg Chistyakov, a Latvian citizen linked to frequent travels to the UAE. Buyanovsky previously pleaded guilty to money laundering and conspiracy charges, awaiting sentencing in November.
The indictment details multiple instances of illegal exports and attempted shipments of aviation electronics to Russian entities between February 2021 and March 2023. U.S. authorities seized $450,000 worth of restricted electronics just prior to the arrests of Buyanovsky and Robertson.
Kate E. Brubacher, Kansas' chief federal prosecutor, emphasized the significant evidence gathered against Robertson by federal investigators, underscoring the severity of the charges and the case's implications for national security.
