Belarusian Woman Pleads Guilty to Illegally Exporting U.S.-Sourced Aviation Components to Russia

WASHINGTON - Yana Leonova, 33, a Belarusian citizen most recently residing in Russia, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in connection with procuring and illicitly exporting numerous avionics and other aircraft equipment from the United States to Russia, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

Leonova, aka "Yana Liavonava," pleaded guilty before the Honorable Loren L. AliKahn to violating the Export Control Reform Act. Following the plea hearing, Judge AliKahn scheduled sentencing for Aug. 10, 2026.

"Anyone who thinks they can exploit U.S. supply chains to arm our adversaries should look carefully at what happened to Yana Leonova," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "Leonova used shell companies, false paperwork, and foreign intermediaries to conceal the unlawful export of U.S.-origin aircraft components to Russia. Investigators traced the scheme across multiple jurisdictions and brought her to justice. There is no distance far enough to protect those who threaten our national security interests."

"No matter where you are, the FBI will not stop to ensure you face justice when you violate U.S. laws," said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeff Berkebile of the Kansas City, Mo., Field Office. "Today's actions in federal court ensure that the defendant will be held accountable for their actions in skirting our laws for their own benefit. We thank all parties and partners involved in this case and commend their efforts to ensure justice has been done."

According to court documents and admissions during the plea hearing, following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in May 2022, Leonova and her U.S. and Armenian co-conspirators illicitly procured aircraft components from U.S.-based distributors.

Leonova and her co-conspirators repeatedly concealed and misstated the true end users and end destinations of the aircraft components ordered by Leonova by submitting false information on documents.

Using companies located in Armenia and elsewhere, Leonova and her co-conspirators transshipped the components to Russia without the required licenses from the U.S. Department of Commerce, in violation of federal law. In addition, Leonova, her former Russian employer, and her co-conspirators caused payments in U.S. dollars to be transmitted from foreign bank accounts to bank accounts in the United States.

The exported items were for use on private 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 is being investigated by FBI Kansas City and BIS/OEE 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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