An alleged Russian intelligence officer pleaded not guilty on July 14 to charges of smuggling U.S.-origin electronics and ammunition to Russia to help its war against Ukraine. Vadim Konoschenok, who was extradited from Estonia, entered the plea at a hearing in federal court in Brooklyn. The judge ordered him to be detained pending trial after prosecutors called him a flight risk. Konoschenok's lawyer declined to comment. Konoschenok, 48, was detained in October 2022 while trying to cross into Russia carrying 35 types of semiconductors and electronic components, some of which were subject to U.S. export controls, prosecutors said. To read the original story by Reuters, click here.
