KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A former vice president of a Kansas-based avionics company was sentenced to 32 months in federal prison for smuggling controlled aviation technology to Russian end users in violation of U.S. export laws tightened after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Douglas Edward Robertson, 58, of Olathe, Kansas, pleaded guilty to export control and money laundering violations stemming from his role at KanRus Trading Company Inc. Robertson was arrested in March 2023 for purchasing, selling, and exporting sophisticated avionics equipment to customers in Russia without required licenses from the U.S. Department of Commerce, lying about the exports’ value, end users, and end destinations.
“The U.S. changed trade restrictions with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine for a reason. These defendants put money over country and considered themselves more clever than Customs officials. They thought they could circumvent the restrictions without being detected, but they were wrong,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser.
Oleg Chistyakov, 56, of the Republic of Latvia, who acted as a broker for KanRus, was sentenced to 28 months in prison after pleading guilty to his part in the conspiracy. A third codefendant, Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky, 63, of Lawrence, Kansas — the former president and owner of KanRus — is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to conspiracy and money laundering. Buyanovsky consented to the forfeiture of over $450,000 worth of avionics equipment and accessories and a $50,000 personal forfeiture judgment.
“The sentencing marks another milestone in the government’s successful effort to hold those accountable who conspire to circumvent and bypass U.S. regulations. The individuals in this case conspired to illegally purchase, sell and export sophisticated aviation equipment to Russia. Robertson’s fraudulent actions were willful and substantial. The sentencing should provide assurance to the public: the FBI will investigate and arrest those who wish to violate our nation’s laws,” said Chris Ormerod, FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge.
The FBI and the Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement investigated the case, with Latvian authorities assisting and U.S. Customs and Border Protection providing substantial support. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Rask and Ryan Huschka for the District of Kansas prosecuted the case alongside Adam Barry, a former trial attorney of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
Buyanovsky’s sentencing date has not yet been announced.