Arms Dealer Sergei Zharnovnikov Guilty of Exporting Firearms to Russia

International Arms Dealer Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Export Firearms to Russia

Brooklyn, NY – In a significant blow to the global arms trade, Kyrgyz national Sergei Zharnovnikov has plead guilty to conspiracy to commit export violations in federal court in Brooklyn. The 47-year-old arms dealer, owner of an arms dealer located in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyzstan Company-1), exported firearms and ammunition worth over $1.5 million from the United States to Russia, in direct violation of U.S. law.

According to court filings, Zharnovnikov conspired to export firearms controlled by the United States Department of Commerce (DOC) from the United States to Russia since at least March 2020. The defendant exported $1,582,836.52 worth of U.S.-manufactured firearms and ammunition from the United States to Russia, including semi-automatic hybrid rifle-pistols.

“The defendant admitted that he purchased American-made, military-grade firearms and re-exported them to Russia,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Today’s guilty plea is the culmination of extensive investigative work, showing that this Office will not allow merchants of lethal weapons to flout U.S. sanctions.”

Assistant Attorney General for National Security Eisenberg added, “By his own admission, Zharnovnikov willfully violated U.S. export controls to smuggle American-made firearms into Russia. The National Security Division will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to disrupt illicit arms networks and prosecute those who illegally transfer U.S. weaponry abroad.”

When sentenced, Zharnovnikov faces up to 20 years in prison for his crimes. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section, with Assistant United States Attorney Ellen H. Sise leading the prosecution, along with Trial Attorney Leslie Esbrook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

The FBI, along with its partners, will continue to defend the homeland by bringing to justice any criminal attempting to evade the laws enacted to protect our national security. This case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of violating U.S. export controls and the importance of upholding our nation’s security.