The arrest of Russian citizen Vadym Konoshchenko in Estonia at the request of the United States is “unacceptable,” said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Ivanov, who promised that Moscow would respond, CNN reports. according to News.ro.

“We will not tolerate this, it is not the first time, it is an unacceptable practice – the detention of our citizens abroad, and every time we will react to it,” Yevhen Ivanov told the Russian Agency on Wednesday. RIA Novosti. a threat reminiscent of the Russian practice of taking American citizens hostage for the purpose of further exchanging prisoners with the United States.

The Russian official added that the Russian side “still does not have any information, except for some statements, but has not seen any documents yet.”

Vadym Konoshenko was arrested in Estonia last week at the request of the United States, which accuses him of trying to smuggle 20 boxes of American sniper rifle ammunition into Russia in late November.

According to an indictment released by the US Department of Justice, Konoshchenok was stopped by police at the border with Estonia with thousands of US-made bullets, as well as “semiconductors and other electronic components”, some of which were restricted for US export. government “for reasons of combating terrorism”.

Konoshchenko, who the Justice Department believes to be an officer of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), is among seven defendants, including five Russian citizens and two US citizens, who are suspected of trying to procure critical equipment for the Russian military. . Four of the seven defendants are still at large.

“Konoschenok, who is suspected of being an FSB officer, allegedly shipped or physically transported items of American origin from Estonia to Russia, including dual-use electronics, military-grade tactical ammunition, and other export-controlled items,” the press release said. from the US Department of Justice.

According to a 16-count indictment brought by the US Department of Justice, the defendants were linked to two Moscow companies that worked with the FSB to procure and smuggle US-sanctioned items, including semiconductors and other electronics, for the Russian military.

An employee of the Russian embassy in Estonia visited Konoshchenok on Wednesday, RIA Novosti was informed by the Russian diplomatic mission in Tallinn. Konoshchenok has a lawyer and “denies accusations of illegal activity,” the quoted source said.

Estonian justice must decide on his possible extradition to the US within the next 60 days.