An Indian businessman’s scheme to funnel sensitive aviation components from the United States to Russia has landed him behind bars, highlighting ongoing efforts to circumvent export controls imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Sanjay Kaushik, a 58-year-old Delhi resident and managing partner of Arezo Aviation, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison followed by 36 months of supervised release for conspiring to illegally export controlled aviation components from Oregon to Russia via India, the Justice Department announced.
The case centers on Kaushik’s attempts to acquire an Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) — a sophisticated navigation component with both civilian and military applications — under false pretenses. He claimed the equipment was destined for his Indian company and a civilian helicopter, but investigators determined the true destination was Russia, where such technology is heavily restricted under U.S. sanctions.
“Those who scheme to circumvent U.S. export control laws—especially when it involves technologies with military applications—will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg in a statement.
A Calculated Scheme
According to court documents, Kaushik’s conspiracy began in early September 2023, not long after international sanctions against Russia had tightened. U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott E. Bradford didn’t mince words about the nature of the crime: “This was no lapse in judgment. It was a calculated, profit-driven scheme involving repeated transactions, substantial gains, and coordination with foreign co-conspirators, including sanctioned Russian entities.”
The businessman’s plot unraveled when the AHRS component was detained before it could leave U.S. soil. Federal authorities later arrested Kaushik in Miami, Florida, on October 17, 2024, and he was subsequently indicted on three counts the following month.
What made this case particularly concerning to prosecutors? The attempted export violated the Export Control Reform Act, which requires special licensing from the Department of Commerce for sensitive dual-use technologies that could have military applications. Kaushik made no attempt to secure such authorization.
From Arrest to Sentencing
The legal process moved swiftly after Kaushik’s arrest. He pleaded guilty on October 9, 2025, to conspiring to sell export-controlled aviation components to Russia. The sentencing, which took place on January 15, 2026, culminated in the 30-month prison term he now faces.
Prosecutors emphasized that Kaushik “sought, on multiple occasions, to undermine safeguards critical to US national security and foreign policy for his own personal gain,” as reported in court documents.
The case highlights the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between U.S. authorities and those attempting to circumvent export restrictions imposed on Russia. Since the invasion of Ukraine, Western nations have significantly tightened controls on technology transfers that could bolster Russian military capabilities.
Kaushik’s conviction sends a clear message: third-country intermediaries attempting to serve as conduits for restricted technology can and will face serious consequences under U.S. law.
