Arms Dealer Pleads Guilty: Sergei Zharnovnikov Illegally Exported $1.5M US Weapons to Russia

 June 26, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Justice announced yesterday, June 25, 2025, that international arms dealer Sergei Zharnovnikov, 46, of Kyrgyzstan, has pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to illegally export over $1.5 million worth of U.S.-manufactured firearms and ammunition to Russia without the necessary licenses. This plea represents a significant step in ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to disrupt illicit arms trafficking to sanctioned nations.

According to the announcement from the Department of Justice's Office of Public Affairs, Zharnovnikov admitted to his role in a scheme that involved acquiring a wide array of firearms, including high-powered rifles and various types of ammunition, from the United States. These weapons were then illicitly shipped to Russia, circumventing stringent U.S. export controls and sanctions designed to prevent military-grade equipment from reaching unauthorized destinations.

The investigation, led by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), uncovered that Zharnovnikov utilized complex networks and shell companies to facilitate the procurement and transshipment of the arms. His plea agreement details how he conspired to obtain the weapons, often misrepresenting their final destination, and arranged for their clandestine transport to Russian buyers.

"This guilty plea underscores our unwavering commitment to preventing dangerous weapons from falling into the wrong hands and to enforcing our nation's export laws, particularly concerning countries under sanctions," stated a spokesperson for the Department of Justice in their June 25 release. "We will continue to work tirelessly with our international partners to dismantle illicit trafficking networks that pose a threat to global security."

The charges against Zharnovnikov highlight the persistent efforts by some individuals and groups to bypass international sanctions and provide military-grade equipment to Russia. This case comes amidst heightened global scrutiny of arms flows, particularly in light of ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions.

Zharnovnikov faces significant penalties, including a lengthy prison sentence and substantial fines, when he is sentenced at a later date. The Department of Justice noted that the investigation remains ongoing, suggesting that further arrests or charges related to this arms trafficking network could follow.