Latvian man admits role in Kansas scheme to send U.S. aircraft technology to Russia
By Nick Sloan
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OLATHE, Kan. (KMBC) — A Latvian man has admitted he worked with two Kansas businessmen to secretly funnel U.S. aircraft technology to Russia, even after the war in Ukraine brought tougher sanctions.
Oleg Chistyakov, also known as Olegs Čitsjakovs, 56, pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to conspiring to dodge U.S. export laws and filing false paperwork to disguise shipments of restricted avionics equipment.
Prosecutors said Chistyakov teamed up with Kansas residents Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky, 62, and Douglas Edward Robertson, 58, through their company, KanRus Trading Co.
Together, they bought U.S.-made avionics equipment and moved it overseas to customers in Russia, including the Russian Federal Security Service, or FSB.
Court records show Chistyakov often worked from Latvia or through his company in the United Arab Emirates, RosAero FZC.
Prosecutors said the men used false invoices, routed shipments through countries like Laos and the UAE, and shifted money through accounts in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the UAE.
Buyanovsky and Robertson were arrested in Olathe, Kansas, in March 2023 and later pleaded guilty. Chistyakov was extradited from Latvia in August 2024.
As part of his plea deal, Chistyakov admitted he continued the illegal shipments even after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, when the U.S. imposed additional sanctions.
He also agreed to give up assets tied to the scheme.
Chistyakov faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced on March 10, 2026.
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