Camilla Jessen
Yana Leonova used third countries to bypass U.S. export laws and send sensitive technology to Russia.
A Belorussian citizen has been extradited to the U.S. to face charges of illegally exporting U.S.-made aircraft components to Russia, federal authorities announced.
33-year-old Yana Leonova, also known as Yana Liavonava, was extradited from France on Monday and made her first court appearance in Washington, D.C. on an indictment charging her with conspiracy to violate export laws, smuggling, money laundering, and defrauding the U.S. government.
According to the Department of Justice, Leonova worked with U.S.-based co-conspirators to obtain avionics and other aircraft equipment, then routed them through countries like Armenia and the Maldives to conceal their final destination — Russia.
Circumvented U.S. law to enrich herself and Russia
The equipment was reportedly used by her former employer, a Russian aviation company listed on the U.S. Entity List, which restricts trade due to national security concerns.
Leonova allegedly falsified documentation to hide end users and transferred funds in U.S. dollars through foreign accounts to facilitate the purchases.
“Leonova tried to circumvent U.S. law to enrich herself and supply Russia with restricted technology,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
FBI officials said the arrest sends a warning to those who may consider helping hostile nations bypass U.S. controls.
“No matter where you are, we will find you,” said FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky.
Leonova will face trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. If convicted, she faces severe federal penalties.
The case is being prosecuted by attorneys from the Justice Department’s National Security Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in D.C.
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, who may have used AI in the preparation
