Virginia Freight Forwarder Sentenced for Illegal Exports to Russia

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The owner and a senior employee of a Virginia-based freight forwarding company, Eleview International Inc., were sentenced for a scheme to illegally export millions of dollars worth of U.S. goods and technology to Russia. The defendants used intermediaries in Turkey, Finland, and Kazakhstan to transship the items to Russia, despite stricter export controls imposed after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing efforts by the U.S. government to enforce export control laws and prevent the diversion of sensitive American technology and goods to Russia, especially as the country faces economic sanctions over its military actions in Ukraine. The scheme used sophisticated methods to conceal the ultimate Russian destinations, raising concerns about the ability of freight forwarders to enable sanctions evasion.

The details

Eleview International, its owner Oleg Nayandin, and employee Vitaliy Borisenko were found guilty of conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act. They operated an e-commerce site that allowed Russian customers to purchase U.S. goods, which were then shipped to Eleview's warehouse in Virginia before being transshipped through Turkey, Finland, and Kazakhstan to reach Russia. This was done to circumvent stricter export controls imposed after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

• On February 13, 2026, Nayandin was sentenced to 3 years in prison.
• On February 13, 2026, Borisenko was sentenced to 1 year in prison.
• On February 13, 2026, Eleview International was sentenced to a $125,000 fine and 3 years of probation.

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Oleg Nayandin to be released on bail pending his appeal.