Belarusian Woman Sentenced in D.C. for Illegally Exporting U.S.-Sourced Aviation Components to Russia

WASHINGTON - Yana Leonova, 34, a Belarusian citizen most recently residing in Russia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 12 months and one day in federal prison in connection with unlawfully exporting numerous avionics and other aircraft equipment from the United States to Russia, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

"While Russia was waging war against Ukraine, Yana Leonova was smuggling U.S.-origin aircraft components to a company ultimately blacklisted by the U.S. government. She used shell companies, false documentation, foreign intermediaries, and overseas bank accounts to conceal the unlawful exports and evade U.S. sanctions," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "But no matter how complex the scheme or how many jurisdictions it crossed, investigators followed the evidence and brought her to justice. Anyone who seeks to exploit U.S. supply chains to support hostile regimes and undermine our national security should take note: we will find you, pursue you across borders, and hold you accountable."

"Those who attempt to hide behind shell companies, falsified documents, or any other form of evasion to move restricted U.S. goods and technology to our adversaries should understand that their actions will be uncovered," said Special Agent in Charge Chris Ormerod of the FBI Kansas City Field Office. "This case reflects the diligent work of our agents and partners to identify, disrupt, and hold accountable anyone who seeks to undermine our nation's security."

Leonova, aka "Yana Liavonava," pleaded guilty on May 20 before the Honorable Loren L. AliKhan to violating the Export Control Reform Act. In addition to the 12-month prison term, Judge AliKhan ordered Leonova to be deported to Belarus following completion of her prison sentence.

According to court documents and admissions during the plea hearing, following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Leonova and her U.S. and Armenian co-conspirators procured aircraft components from U.S.-based distributors and unlawfully exported them from the United States to Russia via Armenia, which resulted in dozens of aircraft components being shipped to Russia and millions of dollars being paid in return.  

Leonova and her co-conspirators devised the transshipment route to conceal that U.S.-origin components were bound for Russia and to evade U.S. export controls. Using companies located in Armenia, Leonova and her co-conspirators re-exported the components to Russia without the required licenses from the U.S. Department of Commerce, in violation of federal law.

The exported items were for use on private jets and other aircraft operated or maintained by Leonova's former employer, a company identified on the U.S. Department of Commerce's Entity List for engaging in or enabling activities contrary to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests.

In November 2025, Leonova was extradited to the United States from France in connection with this case.  

This case was investigated by FBI Kansas City and Commerce Department, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement Atlanta and New York.

It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emma Dinan Ellenrieder and John W. Borchert of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and Acting Deputy Chief Sean R. Heiden of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. Significant assistance was provided by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart D. Allen of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. 

Further significant assistance on the extradition was provided by French authorities and the Department of Justice Office of International Affairs. The Department expresses deep appreciation for the support of our French allies.  

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