An alleged Russian intelligence agent extradited from Estonia to the United States on charges of smuggling, among other things, was taken into custody Friday on American soil as Washington asks Moscow for a prisoner exchange.

48-year-old Vadym Konoshenko is accused by American justice of playing a central role in a group that illegally supplied sensitive electronic components and ammunition to Russia with the help of front companies, AFP and Agerpres write. In the US, he faces up to 30 years in prison for criminal conspiracy, violation of export restrictions, money laundering and smuggling.

He is accused of “providing Russia with advanced American technology and ammunition designed for an illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine,” said Andrew Adams, director of the Justice Department’s KleptoCapture team.

According to the indictment, Konoshchenok was arrested in 2022 by Estonian authorities at the request of the United States after he tried to cross the border between Estonia and Russia with American semiconductors and ammunition.

In December, the US Department of Justice announced that he would be indicted along with four other Russian citizens and two Americans for working for a company “controlled by Russian intelligence services.”

According to the American authorities, more than 450 kilograms of ammunition were confiscated in this business.

Washington is trying to negotiate the release of several American citizens imprisoned in Russia

Konoshenko’s extradition to the United States comes as Washington tries to negotiate the release of several American citizens imprisoned in Russia, including former Marine Sergeant Paul Whelan and journalist Evan Hershkovich, both accused of espionage.

Washington denies the charges and is negotiating their release. “I am serious about exchanging prisoners,” Joe Biden said Thursday in Finland.

“I am determined to do everything in our power to free Americans who are being held illegally in Russia or elsewhere,” he added, adding that certain steps “are currently underway.”

In December, Russia agreed to exchange jailed American basketball player Brittney Griner for Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer who is in US custody.

Also in April 2022, an agreement was reached with Russia to exchange Trevor Reed, a former Marine imprisoned for allegedly drunkenly assaulting a Russian police officer, and Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, convicted of drug trafficking in the United States.

Read also:

• Did Biden make a “bad deal”? Griner’s exchange with the arms dealer is hotly contested
• Arms dealer Viktor Bout offers Trump to hide in Russia
• Moscow hints it may be ready to negotiate a prisoner swap for freed reporter Evan Hershkovich