The person at the center of this case
United States Government / Export Control Violations
Cold Case · Open - Wanted by FBI
3 years waiting · since 2023
ILYA VIKTOROVICH BALAKAEV
Justice for United States Government / Export Control Violations — the trail went cold in 2023, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Where is Balakaev currently located? He has known ties to Finland, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, United Arab Emirates, and North Korea.
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evidence
Lead #2What is the full extent of the network of American intermediaries who assisted in purchasing the 43 devices? Have all co-conspirators been identified?
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contact
Lead #3What specific technology was provided to the North Korean government official at the North Korean Embassy in Moscow?
Ilya Viktorovich Balakaev, a Russian national, allegedly orchestrated a sophisticated sanctions-evasion scheme between 2017 and 2023, smuggling U.S. technology to Russian intelligence and North Korean officials through a network of American intermediaries. The FBI seeks to locate Balakaev, who made approximately 14 trips to the United States to purchase spectrum analyzers and signal generators for the FSB's counterintelligence operations, bypassing export controls and international sanctions. His capture remains critical to disrupting ongoing intelligence operations and holding accountable those who facilitate foreign government espionage against the United States.
Case
#902
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - Eastern District of New York
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
💡
clue
Lead #4How many of the approximately 10 contracts with FSB Military Unit 43753 have been recovered and analyzed by investigators?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Conspiracy to Defraud the United States; Conspiracy to Violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA); Conspiracy to Violate the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA); Smuggling Goods from the United States Caution: Between 2017 and the present, Ilya Viktorovich Balakaev allegedly entered into multiple contracts through his company, Radiotester LLC, with the FSB—the principal intelligence and security agency of the Russian government—to repair spectrum analyzers and signal generators. These devices were frequently used as part of alleged counterintelligence operations to sweep for surveillance bugs and transmit covert communications.
As the devices were not readily available in Russia, Balakaev allegedly created a network of individuals in the United States to assist him in purchasing the equipment which he then used to repair the FSB devices, in violation of United States sanctions. Balakaev allegedly worked closely with Russian government officials from FSB Center 8’s Military Unit 43753, the agency responsible for Russia’s communication security and cryptology.
In furtherance of his scheme, he allegedly entered into at least 10 contracts with FSB Military Unit 43753, purchased approximately 43 devices in the United States, and traveled to the United States approximately 14 times in the span of approximately four years. In addition to his alleged scheme to evade Russian sanctions, Balakaev also allegedly provided American technology to a North Korean government official, in violation of United States sanctions against North Korea.
Balakaev allegedly contracted with the First Secretary of the North Korean Embassy to the Russian Federation, based in Moscow, to obtain hazardous gas detectors and software from the United States for the benefit of the North Korean government. On February 21, 2023, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Balakaev in the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, Brooklyn, New York, after he was charged with multiple counts of counterintelligence-related crimes.
Remarks: Balakaev has ties to Finland, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, United Arab Emirates, and North Korea. He speaks Russian and English.
Timeline of Events
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2017-01-01
Alleged Scheme Begins
Balakaev allegedly begins entering into contracts with FSB Center 8's Military Unit 43753 through his company Radiotester LLC to repair spectrum analyzers and signal generators.
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2023-02-21
Federal Arrest Warrant Issued
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Balakaev in the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, Brooklyn, New York, after charges of counterintelligence-related crimes including conspiracy to defraud the United States and export control violations.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:January 1, 2017
Last Updated:April 29, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:January 1, 2017
Last Updated:April 29, 2026