Gal Haimovich, a 49-year-old Israeli, pleaded guilty in a US court on Monday to conspiring to illegally export American-made aircraft parts and avionics to Russia, violating export controls imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The US Justice Department revealed that Haimovich’s operation involved shipping components with missile technology applications to Russia, circumventing sanctions designed to limit military aid to the country. Haimovich, who ran an international freight forwarding company, orchestrated over 160 shipments from March 2022 to May 2023.
To conceal the destination of the goods, he routed them through third-party countries like the Maldives and the UAE. Among his clients was Siberia Airlines (S7 Airlines), which was billed over $2 million for the illicit exports. Haimovich used false documentation to mislead US manufacturers about the final destination of the shipments.
The US imposed these export controls and sanctions in response to Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, tightening restrictions further following Russia’s full-scale military offensive in February 2022. Despite these measures, Haimovich’s operation successfully smuggled critical components for Russia’s aviation and defense sectors.
In his plea agreement, Haimovich admitted to facilitating the illegal shipments and agreed to forfeit $2,024,435, along with various aircraft parts and components. He is scheduled for sentencing on November 22, 2024, and faces significant legal penalties for undermining US export control laws during heightened geopolitical tensions.
This case is part of a broader effort by the Justice Department’s “KleptoCapture” task force, established in March 2022 to target individuals and entities evading US sanctions and export controls against Russia. The task force aims to dismantle networks smuggling goods to Russia in violation of international sanctions.
Haimovich’s case highlights the global efforts to prevent Russia from acquiring Western technology that could bolster its military capabilities in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The Justice Department underscored this case as a key example of its commitment to enforcing sanctions and holding those who attempt to evade them accountable.
In related developments, the US has recently accused Iran of supplying Russia with ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine, leading to imminent new sanctions against Iran, including measures against Iran Air. These allegations represent a significant escalation in the international response to Russia’s military actions.
The Haimovich case, along with broader sanctions efforts, reflects the US government’s continued focus on preventing Russia from accessing military technology as the conflict in Ukraine persists.