Former US Military Member Sentenced to Prison for Illegal Russia Exports

Igor Panchernikov, a California resident and former member of the U.S. military, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for conspiring to illegally export defense items to Russia in violation of the Arms Export Control Act, DOJ announced last week. Panchernikov was charged in 2021 as part of a five-person scheme to ship thermal imaging rifle scopes and night-vision goggles to Russia (see 2106220012).

Others indicted include Elena Shifrin of Illinois, who pleaded guilty last year and will be sentenced in the “coming months;” Vladimir Pridacha of Illinois, who has pleaded not guilty and has an Aug. 29 trial date; and Boris Polosin of Russia and Vladimir Gohman of Israel, who remain fugitives.