Russian national convicted in US for smuggling aircraft parts to Aeroflot

Alexander Mamonov, a 62-year-old Russian national residing in South Florida, has been convicted on 12 federal counts for a scheme to illegally export nearly $1 million in U.S.-made aircraft components to Russia. The components were destined for the state-controlled airline Aeroflot, bypassing American export restrictions implemented following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

A federal jury in the Southern District of Florida found Mamonov guilty of conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, smuggling, filing false export information, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Prosecutors stated that Mamonov, a former Aeroflot employee, worked with Russian national Ignat Vakorin to deceive U.S. suppliers. The pair allegedly claimed the parts were being shipped to China and the United Arab Emirates when they were actually bound for Russia.

Vakorin remains a fugitive and is believed to be in Russia. Mamonov’s sentencing is scheduled for November 20.