Vadim Yermolenko, a dual U.S. and Russian national residing in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, was sentenced to 30 months in prison by United States District Judge Hector Gonzalez in Brooklyn federal court for his involvement in an illicit procurement and money laundering network. The network aimed to acquire ammunition and sensitive dual-use electronics for Russian military and intelligence services. In addition to the prison term, Yermolenko must pay a forfeiture money judgment of $75,547.
Yermolenko pleaded guilty in November 2024 to conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, bank fraud conspiracy, and conspiracy to defraud the United States.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office; Jonathan Carson from the Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement; and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge at IRS-CI New York announced the sentencing.
“The defendant lied to banks, facilitated the illegal export of ammunition and sensitive technology, and evaded income taxes, all as part of a global procurement and money laundering network operated on behalf of the Russian government,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Today’s sentence should send a message to all who would consider abusing the financial system to commit crimes on behalf of foreign nations: This Office will find you, prosecute you, and, if you are convicted, seek a significant prison sentence.”
“Vadim Yermolenko violated several US laws while endeavoring to help the government of Russia acquire dual-use technology and weapons to bolster its military. Today’s sentencing should signal to all those attempting to evade US sanctions that the US government will work tirelessly to prevent American manufactured goods from being illegally procured and used to advance the militaries of adversarial foreign governments. The FBI will continue to be unrelenting in our efforts to defend the homeland, identity those responsible, and bring them to justice,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.
“Through a sophisticated network of shell companies and bank accounts, Yermolenko laundered more than $12 million and purchased highly sensitive military equipment for Russia—aiding Russia’s military and intelligence agencies in violation of U.S. laws. Yermolenko’s greed and misplaced foreign allegiance created a potential threat to our national security, and law enforcement’s collaboration on this case ensures that our communities are safe from this potential vulnerability,” stated IRS-CI New York Special Agent in Charge Chavis.
Nocella also thanked U.S. Customs and Border Protection as well as international partners including Estonian authorities for their assistance during the investigation.
Court documents allege that Yermolenko was affiliated with Serniya Engineering (Serniya) and Sertal LLC (Sertal), two Moscow-based procurement firms involved in concealing Russia’s role as end user through global networks using shell companies—including some based within the United States—to facilitate these transactions.
The group unlawfully obtained electronic components controlled under export regulations—some suitable for nuclear weapons development or hypersonic technologies—and exported them overseas without authorization. Serniya Engineering (Serniya), Sertal LLC (Sertal), other individuals involved were designated by OFAC—the U.S Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control—in February 2022 due their roles facilitating these activities.
During his participation in this scheme more than $12 million passed through accounts owned or controlled by Yermolenko which he did not report on tax filings with IRS authorities; funds went toward acquiring radar systems parts among other equipment intended for Russian defense projects or research initiatives. On one occasion sniper bullets bought via these means were intercepted by Estonian officials before reaching Russia.
Co-defendant Nikolaos Bogonikolos previously received a 15-month sentence after pleading guilty while Alexey Brayman has pleaded guilty but is awaiting sentencing.
The prosecution was led by attorneys from both EDNY’s National Security & Cybercrime Section as well as DOJ National Security Division support staff.
